Sometimes, life really hurts.
There are times when you hurt in ways that you didn't even know was possible. You may be experiencing a loss that has rocked you to your core. Or you be may going through a betrayal that has left your heart broken so much that you doubt you'll ever recover. Personally, I’ve had several times in my life where my pain led to such a depression. I would go weeks where I cried myself to sleep and wondered how could I even go on. When faced with such tragedy, we know it can be hard to feel hopeful or even “feel” at all.
Yet, today, I feel overwhelmingly compelled to remind you to keep going!
Even when it hurts.
Pray, even when it hurts.
Trust God, even when it hurts.
Believe for a better day, even when it hurts.
Forgive, even when it hurts.
Ask for prayer, even when it hurts.
Live, even when it hurts.
What I love about God is that He does not pretend or mince words. He makes it clear. We will experience pain in this world.
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33
BUT, in the same way, He reminds us to take courage.
For I, the LORD your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, “Fear not, I am the one who helps you.” Isaiah 41:3
He reminds us to look to Him because this where our help truly comes from. So many times, we are so tormented with grief we wonder how we could ever feel joy again. Pain can hit so hard it will have us questioning God and His love for us.
My friend, I want to encourage you that God is still with you. No pain, no loss, no betrayal, no mistake could EVER separate you from the love of God.
For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor principalities, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39
Though you may be in a season where you simply cannot see the light, know that the light will come. The peace will come. The restoration will come.
BUT, keep going, even when it hurts.
Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;- Romans 12:12
It’s time of pain that help us to build character, grow in resilience, and remember the peace that can come only from God. In my life, I have learned more from my pain than I have from my times of joy.
Friends, God uses it ALL!
Cry it out! Pray it out! Journal your thoughts! Be encouraged with talking with others who've been where you have been, EVEN when it hurts.
Though it hurts now, I pray that you do not grow so weary that you cannot feel the embrace of your heavenly Father. He loves you with an everlasting love and sees every circumstance that you are going through.
Be encouraged, KEEP GOING!
Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning. Psalm 30:5b
For more on living a life of everyday victory, I invite you to purchase the Victory Walk: A 21 Day Devotional on Amazon today by clicking here. While you await your new book, head over to itunes, Spotify, Youtube or Amazon Music and sing out your victory with my latest single, "God Has Not Forgotten You."
I believe this song is the perfect reminder of how much God loves you!
