Finding Light in the Darkness: Navigating Hurt in Faith and Prayer

Confused, broken, shocked, and scared. I'll be honest, yesterday was a hard day. This definitely wasn't the first time I've felt these things, and I know it won't be the last. We live in a broken world and that's the reality around us. But what do we do when people hurt us or bad things happen? It's so easy to get mad at God when people sin against us because He "allowed" it to happen. Yet, God isn't the creator of sin so how can our anger be directed at Him when sin hurts us? I was up all night trying to figure out the right words to say that could best help the people around me. I kept asking myself, what wisdom can I speak to them when I don't feel all that wise right now? What encouragement can I give them when I don't even feel encouraged myself? However, this morning I woke up with a word from God that I feel the need to pass on to the community during this time. When I woke up this morning, I felt the Lord say to me "In the darkest times, you have a light that outshines the sun. So don't hide my light just because it hurts. It's time to shine, my child. It's time to worship so loud that it drowns out the cries of your pain." So in obedience, let's talk friends.

I think the first thing to do when someone hurts us is to pray. But I know what you're thinking... what do you even pray when you don't have the words to say? Sometimes you just need to come before the Lord with your brokenness and tell Him what you're feeling. After that, spend some time just listening and waiting for His still small voice. Your pain probably won't just disappear. Your pain may still be there but so is the Lord. Friend, you can bring the Lord your questions, your confusion, your anger, and your hurt. It will never be too much for Him.

Recently, I have been reading through the book Gentle and Lowly by Dane Ortlund. In it, He describes how Jesus is drawn to the broken, the unclean, and the outcasts of society. When Jesus sees the fallenness of the world, His natural desire is to move toward that sin and suffering. That's why we see in Psalm 34:18, "The Lord is near to the brokenhearted." He truly is. I've been reading through the book of Leviticus, as well. It's incredible to compare the rules and rituals in the Old Testament with the heart of Jesus. In Leviticus, we read about many ways a person can become unclean. If an unclean person touches someone else, that person becomes unclean too. It was contagious. But Jesus? He is the only one completely pure and completely clean. Yet, Jesus continuously moved toward the unclean. He had compassion on them, He spent time with them, and He touched them. Jesus isn't afraid of sin. Sin can't make Jesus unclean. I have found this so encouraging because while we are in the midst of a situation where sin has caused a lot of hurt, we can take heart and know that Christ is closer than ever. Why? Because it is in His very nature. He draws near to those who are suffering because our God is love and He is the epitome of compassion. In your hurt, take heart and know that sin hasn't won and Jesus is near. Not only is He near, but He has won the battle against sin once and for all. So, friend, it's okay to let it hurt. But don't let it stop there. Let God heal you.

First and foremost, bring your hurt to the Lord. But our prayer doesn't stop there. As hard it it may be, we need to pray for the one who hurt us. Now you may be thinking, why on earth would I do that? Well friends, to be honest, sitting in our pain, blaming them for what they did, redefining our life by what they did to us, talking bad about them, and making it our goal to make sure everyone knows what terrible thing they did... well, it's simply only going to make the pain worse. I was convicted of this a few years ago. Whenever someone hurt me, I would hold on to it as tight as I could because after all, I have every right to feel hurt, bitterness, and hate because of what they have done right? After all, they let me down, they weren't who they said they were, they lied to me, and it hurts. Yes, it does hurt... but the truth is, forgiveness isn't about them. Often I read scripture that calls me to forgive and I say, but God they hurt me. And you know what He says back to me in those moments? "Yes, my child and they nailed me to a cross." That statement alone has the power to stop me right in my tracks. I think if anyone has the right to say they don't forgive someone it would be Christ - the one who went to incredible lengths so that WE could be forgiven. Praying and forgiving is more about healing ourselves from the pain so that we can move forward with the call the Lord has given us. Let the Lord do justice where He does justice, and let the Lord be a comfort where comfort is needed.

When I first started trying to pray for people who hurt me, I resented the idea of it. I started with a very reluctant, "God, I pray for this person. Amen." There was probably a little eye roll involved too if I'm being honest. And maybe today, the only prayer you can pray for the one who hurt you is simply that... hopefully without the eye roll ;) Or maybe you start this prayer journey something like this, "Dear Lord, I want to be honest with you. It's hard for me to pray for this person right now. The pain I feel runs deep, but I know I need to try and forgive. Holy Spirit, I need your help. Please give me the prayer I can't find the words for right now." As you walk this journey, God will begin to transform your heart and your attitude toward that person. You will begin to pray that the Lord will help you see that person through the eyes of Christ. You will begin to see that while Christ is redeeming us, He wants to redeem that person too. Slowly, you will begin to see the person who hurt you as a person who’s struggling, just as we are. A person who is living in this fallen world and needs forgiveness and grace — just like us. Now I'll admit... I'm not there yet, and it's okay if you aren't either. I'd love to say I am there, but this hurt will take some time to heal, and I'll be there first to admit I am in desperate need of the Spirit's help. So, what do we do? We start with the simple admission to the Lord this is a hard prayer to pray and let Him do the rest.

You can also use scripture to pray when you cannot find the words. Open The Word and begin to pray it out loud. There is power in God's Word so give it the weight it's due. Here are some verses that I've found comfort in when my heart has been heavy:

• Psalm 91:1-4, "Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress,    my God, in whom I trust.” Surely he will save you from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with his feathers,  and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart."

• Psalm 18:2, "The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold."

• Exodus 14:14, "The Lord will fight for you, you need only to be silent"

• Psalm 34: 17-20, "The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them;    he delivers them from all their troubles. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. The righteous person may have many troubles,    but the Lord delivers him from them all; he protects all his bones, not one of them will be broken."

• Psalm 27:13-14 I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.

• Romans 8:28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to His purpose.

• Philippians 4:6 Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done.

Every single hurt and disappointment had to pass through God's hands. While situations may surprise us or shock us, they don't shock the Lord. I find a certain comfort in that. A comfort in knowing that every heartache and heartbreak, every fear, and every tear cried, God knows. God sees. So I can rest knowing that He won't leave us in the wreckage. Our God is in the business of restoring what's been broken and making all things new. So I know, this hurt and this pain isn't permanent, it's on its path to perfection.

Prayer is the best response we can have in a time of hurt. When you don't know what to do, pray. When you don't know how to help, pray. When your hurt feels too much, pray. When you don't know how to move forward or forgive, pray. Prayer changes things. Even if the only thing you can pray is, "I know you are in control God, I trust you with my hurt," God can still hear even the faintest whisper. Let prayer become your weapon. Let prayer become your outlet. Let prayer be your first resort. I love you friends, and I'm praying fervently for YOU.

May your roots run deep, and your faith remain strong! As always, Stay Rooted, my friends! <3

For more on this, check out some of my previous blog posts ("Church Hurt", Loving Your Enemy, A Good God in a Painful Moment, The Healing Touch: Worshipping Through Pain)