Healing the Pain

Psalm 23:1-3 - "The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake." (NIV)

Matthew 15:28 - "Then Jesus answered, 'Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.' And her daughter was healed from that very hour." (NIV)

Mark 5:34 - "He said to her, 'Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering.'" (NIV)

Mark 6:56 - "And wherever he went–into villages, towns or countryside–they placed the sick in the marketplaces. They begged him to let them touch even the edge of his cloak, and all who touched him were healed." (NIV)

Luke 17:19 - "Then he said to him, 'Rise and go; your faith has made you well.'" (NIV)

Revelation 21:3-4 - "And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, 'Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.'” (NIV)


We have all experienced pain in various forms. From an unkind word to emotional manipulation to outright abuse, each of us have stories that involve some type of pain. The rebellion of Adam and Eve, followed by our own rebellion, has left a trail of pain and brokenness. As children, we are very obvious with our pain. We yell and cry. As we grow older, we learn to cover up our pain, to pretend that all is well. Sometimes we are so good at masking the pain that we become a bit numb and unfeeling.

What are some different categories of pain that we can experience?
  • Authorities - When authority figures abuse their position and power, pain enters in.
  • Trust - When people's words or actions damage our trust in them, pain enters in.
  • Values - When we are taught wrong values in the home that say: things are to be loved, and people are to be used, pain enters in.
  • Affection - When the appropriate physical demonstration of love is withheld or abused, pain enters in.
  • Presence - When the loving presence of dad and mom are not known or felt, pain enters in.
  • Acceptance - When acceptance is based on conditions, pain enters in.
  • Communication - When communication has been harsh, manipulating or absent, pain enters in.
The first step in being healed from wounds that we have experienced is to identify that we have wounds. This sounds obvious. But, our practice of covering up the wounds, pretending they don't exist, can be deeply ingrained in us. Often before Jesus healed someone in the Gospels, he asked the person, "What do you want me to do for you?" Jesus knew that the person needed healing. But, he wanted the person to identify the specific point of pain. Our faith in identifying our point of pain with the Father is key for our healing.

Next, the Father calls us to forgive the person or people that have brought pain into our lives. Perhaps they never intended to give us pain, but nonetheless the pain is real. In the same way that we have been forgiven of the great pain we have caused the Father, we are called to forgive our offender (Matt. 6:14-15). The path of forgiveness is not easy, but it's always the best. Choosing to obey the Father and forgive our offender releases freedom upon our lives.

Just like Jesus healed the blind man who called out to be healed, you can experience the miracle of healing as you call out to him. I encourage you to ask for prayer from a trusted Christian leader. Ask that he/she would pray for healing of the pain you have experienced. Jesus still heals today. So, you can stand in faith together with another person to see healing released in your life (Matt. 18:18-20).


For More Study
  • Psalm 23
  • Isaiah 53
  • Isaiah 61:1-3
  • John 11:1-44

Thoughts and Questions for Application
  1. Do you identify with any of the areas of pain listed above? Ask God to remind you of specific relationships or events that have brought you pain. Remember, the point of this is not to wallow in your pain. When we can identify our pain, we are then in position to receive the Father's healing.
  2. Have you obeyed Jesus' command to forgive your offender(s)? Do you delay or do this half-heartedly?

Memorization

Psalm 23:1-3 - "The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake." (NIV)