“Even now,” declares the Lord, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning.” (Joel 2:12)
Our church has a special altar at the top of each side of the balcony, a place where worshipers can go and pray privately. After the sermon one Sunday, I made my way to this dark, secluded area, struggling with bitterness and anger over a broken relationship. I was angry at my friend and ready to quit working on this relationship, where I felt I was the good friend and the other person, bad.
As I began to pray, complaining about the other person’s faults, I told God, “I quit. I can’t do this. I’m done trying. You have to work in this situation. I give it to you.” As soon as I turned over control, God began to reveal my own wrong actions and attitudes—my responsibility in the failing relationship. Tears fell as I prayed for forgiveness. What began as a time to vent my frustration, turned into a sweet healing time with my Lord, and over the course of time, a restored relationship with my friend.
I learned that day that turning to God with an honest heart opens me up to his correction and forgiveness. God wants us to come to him with our brokenness, our hurts, and our “side of the story.” He will in turn show us a bigger picture, one that includes our wrong, but leads to true healing.
Be honest with God and allow him to heal your pain.
Beth Gormong is a graduate of Indiana Wesleyan University and serves at Wesleyan Publishing House. She spends her free time at the library reading and writing books.
© 2022 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission. Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.
