I wanted to share with you the blessing I just received in the hopes it blesses you too. See, on Sunday, I experienced God’s Word washing over my heart bringing some healing I didn’t know I still needed. Years of worry and stress had caused more damage than I realized. It was the words of Christ revealing God’s heart toward His suffering children that shined light on my deep pain. No, my family isn’t suffering any more. We’re rejoicing in God’s gift of health now, but I’m beginning to understand that the emotional healing continues on long after the physical healing has ended. That’s probably because we don’t always know those emotional wounds are even there. They’re hidden but yet effect how we think, feel, and respond. It’s often in our responses that seem to come from nowhere when we realize there’s an old wound still open. We recognize the wound or “problem” when we react in an anger we didn’t know we possessed or when God’s words reduces you to tears because you were so desperate to hear them.
I know you’re suffering as you worry for your child. I know you’re hurting as you helplessly watch them hurt. Dear One, God knows too. He really does. Even though you may wonder where He is and it feels like He’s abandoned you, nothing could be further from the truth. I’ll step out of the way in a little bit and let Him tell you how He feels.
Just a little background about these verses first. This is a letter to the church of Philadelphia written by John but from Christ Himself. This particular church was being persecuted by the Jews who denied Christ as Savior. As I read these verses and listened to Pastor, God opened my heart to what He wanted me to hear. He showed me His love and promises, which I’ve underlined in this passage.
Before you begin reading, please stop and pray. Ask God to reveal what it is He wants you to know and to heal the wounds He would like to heal.
“And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write,
‘These things says He who is holy, He who is true, “He who has the key of David, He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens”: “I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name. Indeed I will make those of the synagogue of Satan, who say they are Jews and are not, but lie—indeed I will make them come and worship before your feet, and to know that I have loved you. Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth. Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown. He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more. I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God. And I will write on him My new name. “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches,”’ (Revelation 3:7-13, New King James Version).
We may not fully comprehend each of His promises, but some things are clear. HE LOVES YOU! You will have an important place in His temple (He has a place for you in Heaven). He has made you totally, completely His. All that writing He’s done on you is His way of taking ownership. I hope He shows you all that it means to be His. Now, I also know that you doubt you’ve been faithful enough to earn His promises. You haven’t always held fast to what you have – those things being Jesus Himself, His promises, and your faith in Him. It’s OK if you’ve let go, just come back and grab on to Him again. It takes great faith to do that; the kind of faith that pleases your Father. Hold on to Him in your anger, frustration, worry and pain. Hold on, Dear One, hold on!
I also shared what I had learned with my son. After all, he’s the one who physically has suffered so much. He needed to know that God knows his pain, how much God loves him, and of His promises. We also talked about how Jesus understands his physical suffering because He had suffered so much. Jesus is the perfect one for Seth to talk to whenever he needs to about the fear and pain he experienced – Jesus “gets it” better than most. I wanted to Seth to see what holding onto Christ has earned him and encourage him to keep holding on. At the same time, while he’s been given great health, God has even more for Him.
We all – Moms and Dads and kids- need to hold on to God and His promises as we go through our trials. He is our only hope for now and our life in Heaven.
In His Love,
Kimberly
