“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” Psalm 147:3
Many years ago Charles Allan wrote: “The human mind is like the human body. It can be wounded. Sorrow is a wound. It cuts deeply, but sorrow is a clean wound, and will heal unless something gets into the wound, such as bitterness, self-pity, or resentment.”
The Christmas season is filled with many kinds of sentiments, – experienced and expressed. Some folks will be upbeat and joyful because everything is going well with them and their families. Some will be filled with sorrow because they don’t have the money to buy gifts for their children, or they have recently lost a loved one, or lost their job, etc. Still others will experience a swelling weight of loneliness. They are alone; their mate with whom they spent many Christmases is gone on to be with the Lord. Sometimes there is loneliness when children and grandchildren are far away, or are near but uncaring. These are wounds that will usually heal in time if they are treated properly. However, if they are not handled properly and those wounds become infected as Charles Allan said, with bitterness, self-pity, or resentment; healing will be long in coming if ever.
In order to scripturally deal with these wounds, we must develop a right attitude toward those deep painful wounds of the soul. Tozer wrote, “Attitude is all important. Let the soul take a quiet attitude of faith, and love toward God, and from there on, the responsibility is God’s. He will make good on His commitments”. Our Lord, in His sovereign purpose will never allow any trial to come upon His children unless He has a plan to bring blessings out of those troubles. In the midnight of despair the truths of the Scripture and promises of our Great Shepherd will penetrate through the deepest gloom. Rest on Christ. Live on Christ.
For the Christian, there are always battles in life throughout the year; but, at some times those struggles seems more heavy and sorrowful. But, the Lord who holds all things in His power and providence never changes. There is rest to be found in Him; rest from the anxieties and weight of sorrows. Charles Spurgeon said,
“We are to have rest of God’s own giving, making, and preserving. His presence will cause us to rest even when we are on the march, yea, even in the midst of battle. Rest! Can it ever be enjoyed by mortals? Yes, there is the promise, and by faith we plead it.”
Think scripturally, “The Lord is my Shepherd.” (Psalm 23:1). “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS”. (Matthew 11:28-29)
Look to Jesus; there is life in that look; there is healing in that look; and there is rest in that look.
“Thou art coming to a King,
Large petitions with you bring.
For His grace and power are such,
You can never ask too much.”
John Newton