Wounds

The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. Psalm 34:18 ESV

I think it's fair to say that every one of us has been brokenhearted and had our spirit crushed at some point. In March of 1983 at age 23, my best friend and roommate took his own life. For years afterward, I alternated between being angry with him for what I thought was his selfishness, failing to recognize his unhappiness, and missing his companionship. I also struggled with guilt and questioning whether I could have done something to intervene. At that point in my life, I had grown distant in my faith and instead of going to God, I ran in the opposite direction searching for substitutes to mask the pain. After unnecessarily carrying this burden for several years did I hand it over to God. I realized that the maxim, "time heals all wounds" was false, only God can heal all wounds. Once, I was willing to ask God for help did the healing begin. Whatever you have going on in your life today. Whatever pain, brokenheartedness, and suffering, I urge you to give it to God. Don't wait, he is waiting for you with open arms to help.

God, we give you thanks for being near us in our times of distress. When we most need you we just have to call on you Yet we are often hesitant, thinking we can manage on our own. For the pain we are carrying today, right now, we are asking you for your help. Bind up our pain and heal our hearts. Amen.