Finding relief from your problems is not going to cure them.
It’s easy to run away or hide our pain, addictions, or debts. And instead of facing them, we rather pretend they do not exist because of fear, shame, or guilt. I don’t’ know about you, but I do not like going to the doctor. A couple of years ago, I started to feel sick. I was feeling very sluggish and started to have body aches. And each day that passed, a new symptom would appear. Instead of going to my doctor's office, I would google home remedies for my symptoms and try to control them. But I felt the same, if not even worse. All I was doing was finding pain relievers rather than going to the doctor to find out what was really going on and getting medication that was actually going to help. After a week of trying to push through, ignore, and control my symptoms, I finally decided to see my primary care provider. It turns out I had the flu, and not just a common cold as I thought. My provider told me I was already seeing the end of the flu, and if I had gotten in sooner, they would have been able to provide me with medication. We often tend to do this with our emotional, mental, and spiritual pain. We try to pretend those deep scars that people don’t see don’t exist. We try to deal with it through self-coping mechanisms, whether isolating ourselves, drinking, smoking, fornicating, or self-harming. In the moment of taking the pain relief, we forget about our inner wounds and feel at ease for a moment. Without realizing the side effects, those pain relievers lead. If we keep taking pain relievers for something that needs healing, the pain, wound, and problem will only deepen, prolong, and worsen. There is going to be a point where you realize whatever you are doing is not working. And if that is you right now, that has been battling with pain, addictions, or shame; God wants to be your doctor. Will you let Him? Or do you want to continue to take pain relievers until another part of your life gets hurt? Are you ready to start the process of your healing? Start by taking your daily medication, which is your daily bread (the Bible). Stay hydrated by drinking the living waters, which only comes through Jesus. Start being active, walking in His presence, purpose, and plan, and lifting your hands as a sign of surrender.
Bible verse:
"'But I will restore you to health and heal your wounds,' declares the Lord." – Jeremiah 30:17
Prayer:
Thank you, God, for being Jehovah-Rapha, my healer. Thank you for wanting and being able to heal the wounds, addictions, and pain that no one else sees. I repent for trying to take control and doing things my own way. I surrender it all. I lay it all at your feet, my past, present, and future. Do what only you can do in me and through me, for your honor and glory. In Jesus' name, I pray, amen.
Worship Song: