“Pain brings deepest brokenness, and a hurting child always wants to run into the consoling, safe arms of a loving parent. Feeling our pain doesn’t prove that we lack faith — it proves our need for constant connection with God.”- Christa Black Gifford
“The Spirit of the LORD GOD is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound.”- Isaiah 61:1 (ESV)
In Chapter 9 of Heart Made Whole, Christa Black Gifford notes the need to receive comfort and release. That must come from the True Source. Otherwise, we’re forced to run what Christa calls a counterfeit affection. And God’s much better at His job than any of those affections.
Furthermore, Ms. Gifford advises that we keep our eye open to the acceptance of two realities – trauma and relationship. As we do so, we experience the paradox of deepest sorrow and overflowing joy at the same time. Therefore, one never negates the other. And as we accept our wounded and broken state, Jesus meets us right here in our pain. He begins to heal us with His love. To find joy in every situation, your heart simply makes the choice to engage Jesus, over and over again. Consequently, miracles happen as Jesus digs deep into our roots of pain. He draws each broken place back into His loving arms.
In conclusion, Christa exhorts:
“No heart is beyond repair. No heart is too hard to soften . . . too far gone to piece back together. Notice in this Scripture (Ezekiel 11:19) that it’s God who makes the heart whole and puts the new spirit in, removing the hardness and making things soft. All He needs is a willing participant – and the choice to engage in this beautiful journey of transformation is entirely up to you.”
Today’s question: What Bible verses sustain your need for constant connection with God? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: the annotated bibliography of Heart Made Whole
