Proverbs 18:14 The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; but a wounded spirit who can bear?
This is for my sister Toni.
Finding our way toward a Godly solution can sometimes seem hard on our human spirit. We sometimes get overwhelmed with well-meaning brothers and sisters in the Lord who try to encourage us with scriptural platitudes like Phil. 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me.
Perhaps this verse was hurled at your wounded soul. Eph. 6:10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Maybe this favorite verse was served with unquenchable enthusiasm. Ex. 14:14 The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.
All of these sacred Scriptures are wonderful and absolutely true; however, when we are trying to overcome a battle in life, with a wounded spirit, these scriptural nuggets can make us feel like we have fallen short of some kind of qualification and all that will come out of our hearts is a question that King David asked in Psalm 43:5a Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me?
At this moment I find myself in the same position as the well-meaning brothers and sisters who want to encourage those who have been wounded to a point of personal fatalism. So I will proceed with what I feel is sensitivity toward those who have a wounded spirit.
In Timothy Keller’s book, “The Reason For God,” there is a story of a woman who found it very difficult in all her efforts finding God’s help in her time of need. A suggestion was given to her that Christ was the great Shepherd and that she should wait to be found by Him, because she was lost and He was looking for her. Shortly afterward her testimony was, yes, Jesus had found her and she is at peace now.
This story touched me because I could look back in my life and see how true this was for me. The Lord had come looking for me on many occasions and when He found me in a fallen desperation, He loved me anyway. He cleaned me up and healed all my wounds within my spirit. Once more, He set me on His path and guided me to a loving relationship.
In Timothy Keller’s book, “The Reason For God,” there is a story of a woman who found it very difficult in all her efforts finding God’s help in her time of need. A suggestion was given to her that Christ was the great Shepherd and that she should wait to be found by Him, because she was lost and He was looking for her. Shortly afterward her testimony was, yes, Jesus had found her and she is at peace now.
This story touched me because I could look back in my life and see how true this was for me. The Lord had come looking for me on many occasions and when He found me in a fallen desperation, He loved me anyway. He cleaned me up and healed all my wounds within my spirit. Once more, He set me on His path and guided me to a loving relationship.
You might ask if I got all the answers to my questions that got me into the funk of desperation in the first place. No, I did not get all the answers because I no longer needed them. I was healed from what had been bothering me and it was time to move on as Paul says in, Phil. 3:13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, 14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
As I move forward in my Christian walk, there may be a reality check that I will not have all my goals and wishes fulfilled. However, if I stay in Christ I will be fulfilled. Is that not what everyone is looking for on this earth? Fulfilment of soul and spirit, plus the ability to be at peace with what we know about ourselves and know that we belong to our Lord.
In some eyes, this may not be a lofty ambition, but in the eyes of God, this is a fulfilment that cannot be bought by anything we have. It has been paid for in full with the blood of Jesus, and that genuine sacrifice is a gift for us all who are wounded in spirit. We can be healed and gratified in the fullness of God’s eternal love and His plan for each one of us.
As I move forward in my Christian walk, there may be a reality check that I will not have all my goals and wishes fulfilled. However, if I stay in Christ I will be fulfilled. Is that not what everyone is looking for on this earth? Fulfilment of soul and spirit, plus the ability to be at peace with what we know about ourselves and know that we belong to our Lord.
In some eyes, this may not be a lofty ambition, but in the eyes of God, this is a fulfilment that cannot be bought by anything we have. It has been paid for in full with the blood of Jesus, and that genuine sacrifice is a gift for us all who are wounded in spirit. We can be healed and gratified in the fullness of God’s eternal love and His plan for each one of us.
So what did King David do in responds to the spiritual funk he found himself in? Psalm 43:5 Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God. For I will yet praise Him. Yes, because no matter how low we feel, where are we going to go, but Him? John 6:68 Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life. May God’s love shine on us all.
yes!
A timely word….
Good word! Thank you!
Ahhh… So good.
Thank you:)