Lamentations, Jeremiah’s poetic pleas for God’s intervention and restoration of his people and himself, is a Bible book rarely mentioned.
It’s a sad season in the lives of Jeremiah and his people.
They’re struggling, tired, overwhelmed and depleted, physically emotionally and spiritually.
But deeper study of this moment in Jeremiah’s life reveals an invitation to experience healing and deliverance.
He writes “When life is heavy and hard to take, go off by yourself. Enter the silence. Bow in prayer. Don’t ask questions. Wait for hope to appear. Don’t run from trouble. Take it full face. The “worst” is never the worst.” Lam 3:28-30 MSG
I don’t know about you but this process is not easy for me.
My first response is to try and fix the issue and myself.
I go into fight or flight mode (mostly flight) running for cover when trouble shows up, distracting myself with busy work, social scrolling, eating, anything to numb the heaviness.
Self healing never works. Even Christ knew this.
Without sugarcoating it, He says “ . . . self help is no help at all.” Luke 9:23-27 MSG
Culture says heal yourself, read the books, think positively, work on your self until your’re mentally and physically exhausted (if you aren’t already).
How can our wounded, sickly souls and broken hearts heal themselves? They simply cannot.
When the spouse leaves, the friendship fades, the job ends, the loved one becomes ill or passes and life feels heavy and hope lost, distractions and numbing agents, self help books, food, retail therapy, courses and podcasts will provide temporary bandaids but no permanent cure.
I know this from experience.
And while it isn’t always easy, restored hope and renewed strength comes when we set aside our to-do lists, find a quiet place, trust and wait (this is the hardest part).
It’s here in these moments where God restores our souls and refills our cups to overflowing! Psalm 23
I encourage you today to stop, exhale, be still, turn down the radio, log off and allow God to soothe and heal your heart and mind with his holy, medicinal balm.
Because the healing we need will never be found in the external but only in the Eternal.
Sandra
Join the Discussion