Why you should let others Into your pain

Beth Marshall

Have you ever wondered if you somehow slipped under God's radar?

When really bad stuff happens, it's easy to feel forgotten and alone. It could have been a single word from the doctor that sent your life spinning out of control or the meeting at work about downsizing. Maybe it was the death of a close family member, or the death of a relationship you believed would last forever.

Where do you go when unforeseen trauma comes your way?

Coming Out of the Shadows

Some naturally turn to friends and family for comfort. But many of us are more inclined to exercise our right to remain silent. The problem is that keeping quiet leaves us isolated and stuck, unable to move forward.

Inviting someone into your pain is one of the best ways to open the door for healing.

We were never called to carry the heavy stuff by ourselves. Inviting a trusted friend, or even a professional counselor, into the pain is one of the best ways to open the door for healing to begin. Psalm 34:18 assures us, “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted. He saves those crushed in spirit.”      

An Embarrassing Moment

If you're having trouble imagining your situation ever getting better, you're not alone.

It took an embarrassing meltdown in public to realize how deeply I was grieving my mom’s death. After months of isolating myself in the sadness, I was surprised one night when out-of-control tears started flowing. Not the pretty kind of tears, either. Thanks to the tearful tsunami, my friends were able to intercede asking the Lord to remove some of the pain. And He did.

God has not forgotten about you, either. If you're stuck in a painful place, would you ask Him to reveal your next step toward healing?

Don’t Waste the Pain

You may have heard Zac Smith's story. Zac was a staff member at our church, and at age 32 he was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer. Zac passed away a year later.

Knowing Zac's family through his battle with cancer and since his death has been a priceless example of God's grace and mercy. Those who know Zac's family (Mandy, Lizzy, Jake and Luke) have witnessed the truth of Zac's profound words, "God is still God, and God is still good."

A year after Zac’s death, I had a conversation with their beautiful daughter, Lizzy (then 12). It was about grief and how you know when you're starting to heal. Lizzy told me about the day she wanted use her story to help someone else — that, she thought, was probably a good sign of healing. Wow.

My prayer is you will one day experience what Lizzy knows. God is close to the brokenhearted, and He saves those crushed in spirit. The Lord can bring His goodness even through our deepest hurts. To God be the glory.