Hurt

August 22nd – Psalm 88:14

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Psalm 88:14

There is a particular kind of pain that comes from praying and waiting…and waiting…and still not getting an answer. It hurts even more when you’ve been trusting God, believing He hears you, and yet the silence continues. Psalm 88:14 gives words to that ache. “Why, Lord, do you reject me and hide your face from me?” It’s a verse that reminds us that even faithful people can experience seasons when God feels distant.

Sometimes the hardest part isn’t the struggle itself. It’s watching someone else receive the very answer you’ve been praying for. You see their joy, their answered prayer, and their testimony. While you’re genuinely happy for them, a quiet question can rise in your heart. “Lord, when will it be my turn?”

If you’ve ever felt that way, you’re not a bad Christian. You’re human. Waiting can test our faith in ways we never expected. It can make us wonder if God has forgotten us, if He’s listening, or if somehow our prayers aren’t important enough. But God’s silence is not the same as God’s absence.

Just because you can’t see Him working doesn’t mean He isn’t. Just because the answer hasn’t come doesn’t mean He hasn’t heard every word you’ve prayed. God sees the tears you wipe away before anyone notices. He knows the prayers you can barely put into words. He knows how long you’ve been waiting.

So keep praying. Keep trusting. Your story isn’t over because your prayer hasn’t been answered yet. God is still writing it. And when the waiting feels unbearable, remember that you don’t have to understand His timing to trust His heart.

August 22nd – Psalm 88:14 Read More »

August 4th – Jeremiah 17:14

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Jeremiah 17:14

There are moments in life when we realize there is nothing we can do to fix what’s broken. And it’s in those moments, we’re reminded that our greatest need isn’t another plan or another solution. We need God.

Jeremiah knew that true healing could only come from the Lord. He wasn’t placing his hope in himself or in the things of this world. He was trusting the Great Physician. The One whose power has no limits and whose love never fails.

Sometimes God heals our bodies. Sometimes He heals our hearts. And sometimes His healing comes by giving us the strength, peace, and grace to walk through the valley until we reach the other side. However He chooses to work, His healing is always perfect because it flows from His wisdom and His unfailing love.

If your heart is heavy today, don’t carry your burdens alone. Bring them to Jesus. Pour out every fear, tear, disappointment, and unanswered question before Him. Our Heavenly Father is always ready to receive those who earnestly seek Him. He sees your pain, He hears your prayers, and He has not forgotten you.

Whatever you are facing today, take heart. The same God who hears your cries is the God who still heals, still restores, still saves, and still works miracles in the lives of His children. Keep your eyes on Him, for He is your hope, your strength, and your healer.

August 4th – Jeremiah 17:14 Read More »

June 25th – Isaiah 40:31

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Isaiah 40:31

Life can be hard. There are seasons when the burdens seem heavier than we can carry, the disappointments cut deeper than we expected, and the road ahead feels longer than we have the strength to travel. Sometimes we reach a point where we simply don’t know how to take another step.

That’s why I love the promise found in Isaiah 40:31. God never expected us to carry life’s burdens alone. He doesn’t stand at a distance watching us struggle. He walks beside us through every trial, every heartache, and every storm. And when we are too weary to keep going, He gives us the strength we need for that moment.

There have been times in my life when I felt completely drained. Drained emotionally, physically, and spiritually. Looking back, I can see that it wasn’t my own strength that carried me through. It was God’s. When I couldn’t take another step, He sustained me. When I felt weak, He became my strength. When I was ready to give up, He gently lifted me up and helped me keep moving forward.

If you’re weary today, take heart. The same God who created the stars knows exactly what you’re carrying. He sees your struggles, hears your prayers, and understands your pain. Lean on Him. Trust Him. The journey may still be difficult, but you don’t have to walk it alone. And when your strength runs out, His never will.

June 25th – Isaiah 40:31 Read More »

June 22nd – Psalm 34:18

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Psalm 34:18

One of the biggest misconceptions about following Jesus is that it guarantees an easy life. But the truth is, Jesus told us just the opposite. He said that in this world we would have trouble. This side of heaven, life can hurt. Hearts get broken. Relationships fall apart. Loved ones pass away. Prayers seem unanswered. We face disappointments, struggles, and seasons of deep pain.

But Psalm 34:18 offers a beautiful promise for those difficult moments. God never said we would be spared from heartbreak, but He did promise that we would never face it alone. When our hearts are broken, the Lord draws near. When we feel crushed by the weight of life, He comes alongside us with His comfort, strength, and peace.

Sometimes we may wonder where God is in the middle of our suffering, but often it is in those very moments that His presence becomes the most real. He sees every tear, hears every prayer, and understands every hurt. Nothing we face is hidden from Him.

If your heart is hurting today, take comfort in knowing that God is not distant from your pain. He is close to the brokenhearted. He walks with you through the valleys, carries you when you are weak, and gently reminds you that this painful season is not the end of your story. One day, every tear will be wiped away. Until then, we can rest in the arms of a Savior who understands suffering and whose love never fails.

June 22nd – Psalm 34:18 Read More »

June 17th – Matthew 5:44

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Matthew 5:44

Let’s be honest. Most of us have people in our lives who are difficult to get along with. No matter what we do, they never seem happy. They criticize, misunderstand, or hurt us, and sometimes our efforts to make peace only seem to make things worse. Our natural response is often to pull away in anger or return hurt for hurt. Yet Jesus calls us to something different. He tells us to pray for those who mistreat us.

Praying for difficult people doesn’t mean pretending their behavior is acceptable, nor does it mean allowing them unlimited access to our lives. In some situations, healthy boundaries are necessary. There are times when a relationship cannot be restored because the other person is unwilling to change or because remaining close would be harmful. But even when we can’t  have a healthy relationship with someone, we can still pray for them.

When we pray for those who hurt us, something begins to change. Not only in them, but in us. Because prayer softens our hearts, releases bitterness, and reminds us that God loves them just as He loves us. We can pray for their healing, their salvation, their growth, and for God to work in their lives in ways we never could. We may not be able to change another person’s heart, but God can.

Loving our enemies doesn’t always mean keeping them close. Sometimes it simply means surrendering them to God, refusing to let bitterness take root, and trusting Him to handle what we can’t. That isn’t weakness, it’s obedience. And in doing so, we become a little more like the Savior who prayed even for those who crucified Him.

June 17th – Matthew 5:44 Read More »

June 16th – Ephesians 4:32

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Ephesians 4:32

When someone hurts us, our first reaction is rarely forgiveness. More often, we want them to hurt the way we hurt. We replay the conversation, rehearse what we wish we had said, and sometimes even imagine ways to get even. After all, if they caused us pain, shouldn’t they have to feel some pain too? Yet God’s Word points us in a very different direction.

The truth is that unforgiveness doesn’t hurt the other person nearly as much as it hurts us. Bitterness settles into our hearts, steals our peace, and affects the way we view others. It can damage our relationships, consume our thoughts, and create distance in our walk with God. The longer we hold on to an offense, the heavier the burden becomes.

That’s why Ephesians 4:32 calls us to be kind, tenderhearted, and forgiving. Not because people always deserve it, but because Christ has forgiven us. Every one of us has fallen short. Every one of us has needed God’s mercy. If God were to treat us the way we often want to treat those who hurt us, where would we be? Instead, He extended grace, forgiveness, and love through Jesus Christ.

Forgiveness doesn’t mean pretending the hurt never happened. It doesn’t mean the offense was acceptable, nor does it always mean reconciliation is possible. Sometimes healthy boundaries still need to remain. Forgiveness simply means releasing our right to revenge and trusting God to handle what we cannot. It means placing the hurt in His hands and allowing Him to heal our hearts.

The beautiful thing about forgiveness is that it sets us free. The person who benefits most from forgiveness is often not the one receiving it, but the one extending it. When we let go of bitterness, we make room for God’s peace, healing, and joy to fill our hearts once again. It isn’t always easy, but with God’s help, we can choose forgiveness just as Christ chose to forgive us.

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November 22nd – Hebrews 2:11

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Hebrews 2:11

Loneliness has a way of feeling heavier this time of year. Especially when everyone else seems surrounded by family, laughter, and warm holiday moments. It’s easy to feel like you’re on the outside looking in, wondering why your life doesn’t look like everyone else’s. But even in the quiet places where the ache shows up most, you’re not forgotten. Not for a single moment. Because when people turn away or relationships fade, the Holy Spirit stays closer than a best friend, comforting you when no one else sees your tears. Jesus walks beside you as a faithful brother, understanding every hurt, rejection, and longing. And your Creator God, watches over you as the perfect Father, steady and loving, calling you His own. You may feel overlooked by others, but Heaven knows you by name. You may feel forgotten by people, but God never loses sight of you. Loneliness may visit, but it doesn’t get the final say. For You belong. You belong to God, His family, and to His heart. And I pray that beautiful truth holds you gently through every season, especially this one.

Prayer Prompt:
Father, when loneliness tries to settle in, draw me close to You. Remind me that I am Yours, fully known and fully loved. Help me feel the comfort of Your presence and the nearness of Jesus, my Brother. Amen.

November 22nd – Hebrews 2:11 Read More »

May 9th – Proverbs 18:21

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Proverbs 18:21

Words hold weight. With just a few syllables, we can breathe life into someone’s weary soul or crush a spirit already close to breaking. Proverbs 18:21 reminds us that life and death are in the power of the tongue. That means what we say matters. Whether it’s the quiet words we whisper to ourselves in the mirror, or the ones we launch in anger at someone we love. Every word builds or breaks. Think about that for a minute. We are walking around with mouths that can plant hope or harvest hurt. That’s not something to take lightly. What if today, we chose to speak only words that heal, build, bless, and uplift? Not fake positivity, but honest encouragement. What if we paused before responding, and asked, “Will this bring life?” Our words can be the light someone needs or the weight that pulls them under. Let’s be life-speakers. Grace-givers. Truth-tellers wrapped in kindness. And when we mess up (because we will), may our next words be humble and healing.

 

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April 14th – Matthew 26:47-50

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Matthew 26:47-50

Betrayal cuts deep, especially when it comes from someone you love and trust. In Matthew 26:47–50, we see Jesus face Judas. The friend who once walked beside Him, dined at His table, and listened to His every word. And the friend who was about to hand Him over with a kiss. A symbol of affection turned into a weapon of betrayal. And yet, Jesus didn’t lash out. He didn’t resist. He still chose the Cross. That kind of love is hard to grasp. Maybe you’ve felt that sting too. Maybe you’ve been hurt by someone you never thought would turn on you. Jesus understands. He’s been there. But instead of bitterness, He extended grace. Instead of revenge, He offered redemption. Easter isn’t just about an empty tomb. It’s about a heart that forgives when it hurts the most. As we remember Jesus’ sacrifice, let’s ask ourselves. Can we forgive those who have wounded us? Not because they deserve it, but because Jesus first forgave us. May His love reshape our pain and His example lead us to freedom.

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March 31st – Nahum 1:7

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Nahum 1:7

Life can feel overwhelming, especially when we’re hurting. The weight of uncertainty, loss, and heartache can leave us wondering if we’ll ever find peace again. But God is good, even in the midst of the storm. He isn’t distant from our pain, He is our safe place and refuge when everything feels like it’s falling apart. When the nights are long and the burdens feel too heavy to carry, He invites us to run to Him. He sees the tears you cry in secret, the prayers you whisper in desperation, and the fears you don’t speak aloud. And He holds you through it all. You are not forgotten. God knows those who take refuge in Him. He sees your faith, even when it feels weak. He is your protector, your sustainer, your steady rock in the chaos. Even if the answers don’t come right away, even if the pain lingers longer than you’d hoped, you can trust that He is working, and He will not fail you.Your suffering does not define you, God’s goodness does. Hold on. Keep trusting. The One who holds your heart will never let you go.

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