Monday, November 18, 2024

A few years ago, I found myself wrestling with a list of complaints I had brought to God, feeling weighed down by walls I knew needed to come down. Then, one particular night, I lit a candle and surrendered, letting God begin the work of breaking down those barriers.

Sometimes, pain causes us to put up walls, pretending everything is fine in order to protect our hearts and keep others out. Job, a man in the Bible who experienced all sorts of adversity, was lost in his grief and pain when he was reminded that safety comes on the other side of mourning.

Job 5:11 NIV
The lowly he sets on high, and those who mourn are lifted to safety.

This verse reminds us that God doesn’t forget about us during our most difficult times. We are invited to climb into our father’s arms so we can be lifted up.

This lesson was illustrated during week 3 of our At the Movies series. In the movie, News of the World, Johanna, a young girl who lost her family twice over, was found by Jefferson Kidd, a traveling news reader and storyteller. Burdened by his own unresolved pain, Kidd initially resisted the idea of taking Johanna in. But eventually, he faced his grief and tore down the walls he had built. Only then was he able to open his heart to the young girl. In the end, they were reunited and stronger, moving forward together as storytellers.

Just as Kidd had to work through his grief, God invites us to bring our pain to him. He understands our struggles.

Psalms 46:1
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.

God is far bigger than disrupted plans, pain, and our complaints. He wants us to take his hand in our times of despair. We are encouraged to find safety in him. Then we can move forward from our grief and pain by stepping onto the journey God has for us, knowing he will be walking alongside us. We don't need to pretend with him or build walls. We can give him our grief and find comfort in his presence.

Questions:
Is there someone in your life whom you can trust with your story?

What do you do with the hurt you have been handed in life? Do you build walls around it or take it to God?

Next Steps:
Write down any past hurts or current struggles that trouble you. Perhaps light a candle to remind yourself of God’s light in this dark place, pray, and give your grief and pain to God.

Pray over scripture, such as Psalm 46:1-3 or Psalm 91.

Prayer:
God, you are my refuge and strength, my ever-present help in trouble. I come before you, God, to find safety. I want to share all of my struggles with you. Help me to break down the barriers that keep you and others out. I don't want to keep pretending and protecting myself from letting others in. I pray you will take my hand today and lead me to safety. Amen.

Series Theme Verse:

Romans 1:20
For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God.

This post was written by Becca Roberts, a regular contributor to the LivingItOut Devotional.