A Deeper Look

Good morning, my friend!  Good morning, Father!

“He was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.” - Isaiah 53:5

Many years ago I had a head injury.  Since then I have fought with daily headaches, sometimes difficulty concentrating as well as bouts of grumpiness and self pity when the headaches flare up.  I finally decided the evaluation I had had many years ago when the injury happened was not sufficient, and I sought help from a specialist who ordered a brain scan.  We wanted to see what had been injured to determine what might be options for mitigating symptoms.

We all sustain injuries.  No one remains unscathed.  Some of our injuries come from our poor choices, others are at the hand of another, illness or an accident.  Many injuries can be seen with our eyes, but often the most severe of our injuries are internal and stem from painful scars of bad choices, wounds of harsh words, abuse or betrayal, and just by living on this fallen planet.  It is so easy to be seduced into self pity.  The end result can poison our souls and pick our pockets of joy, hope and a meaningful future.  Our emotional outbursts leave shards of shrapnel in the flesh of others and leave us feeling alone and broken.

Great Physician, I lift my friend.  They hurt.  They are afraid.  They are even afraid of being afraid.  They clutch their wounds for fear they will be hurt again.  Breathe courage into their hearts.  Strengthen them to be willing to crawl onto Your table and move their hands, so You are free to excise the diseased flesh, flush and bind their wounds.   Examine every part.  Heal what You will, by the stripes of Jesus.  Give them Your divine prescription for their healing.  Then help them to receive their medication, even though so often it is a bitter pill to swallow.  Whatever remains, may it stand as a reminder of the sacrifice of the Son for our salvation, and serve as a catalyst for compassion toward others who are broken - even those whose brokenness inflicted our wounds.

We praise You that we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every way has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.  So we can draw near to the throne of grace with confidence and receive mercy (Hebrews 4:15-16).  Our flesh and our heart may fail, but You are the strength of our hearts and our portion forever (Psalm 76:23).  We declare that what the enemy intended for evil, You will work for the good (Romans 8:28).  We choose to not fear or be dismayed, for You are our God; You will strengthen us and help us.  You will uphold us with Your righteous right hand (Isaiah 41:10).  In quietness and trust will be our strength (Isaiah 30:15), as Your strength is made perfect in our weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9).  We have strength for all things through Christ Jesus who empowers us and infuses us with inner strength; we are self-sufficient in the sufficiency of Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:13).  Search us, O God, and know our hearts; test us and know our anxious thoughts.  See if there is any offensive way in us, and lead us in the way everlasting (Psalm 139:23-24).  And may both our healing and our brokenness be used for Your glory.  In Jesus Name ❤️

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