For a moment, take in a deep breath.  And as you let it out allow yourself to contemplate your pain, your worry, your lasting wounds and scars.  Most won’t want to look at them, but that fact only elevates our need for relief.  For the wounds that remain open fester, ignoring them only allows for prolonged susceptibility to decay.  Is your current situation a result of the episodes associated with those particular wounds?  Are you suffering or are you living a life limited in some way through the sequence of events surrounding the instances that created those wounds?  Two things; the fact that the wounds remain means that you are carrying burdens you need not bear, and if a sequence of events got you to this point where you are unfulfilled, flustered or inhibited there must be a sequence of events that would lead you out of these circumstances.

Jesus promises to set us free from the burdens associated with sin and death, He promises a peace that surpasses the understanding of this world.  What does He require?  He wants belief, belief that sponsors humility, repentance and acceptance of the Truth of God’s Sovereignty over all our lives.  The practical questions often go unasked.  Questions such as what part did I play in losing my job, becoming addicted to whatever substance, broken or severed relationships that led to my eventual less than bountiful living circumstances?  This evaluation is necessary to healing, for if I am not willing to investigate the nature of my wounds, illness or predicament then how may I find a solution or define the options in moving to a better life?  How might I go before God in humility asking for forgiveness of sins if I cannot see and admit the sins for which I am asking forgiveness?

Am I hiding from the burden of having done something wrong, broken some law, embarrassed myself and others or have I just made so many mistakes that where I am is the only place I could have possibly ended up?  This analysis should give you Hope, the Hope that Jesus Christ provides the way to being free of all these ills, pains, memories, wounds and self-constructed incarceration.  Lay down the burdens at the foot of the Cross and experience rest.  Let go of the repressed or suppressed hurt of the past, repent of the horrible things you’ve done, give them to Jesus, forgive and be forgiven.

There is hope, stop wandering in the desert, come into the promise land and find peace, hope, abundance, healing and renewal.  Take a step today.  Call someone who you refused to forgive, send them on their way with a positive prayer of blessing.  Fess up for the ills you’ve created, be honest with yourself and God, ask Him to set you free of the bondage with these mistakes have imprisoned you, limited you, robbed you of choices and normal social interactions.  There is always an answer, but the answers always lay in admitting, facing and accepting the steps that led us to our current situation.  We cannot ignore our actions and expect that they will somehow disappear with enough time, alcohol, marijuana, heroine or sexual gratification, these things only prolong the time for our wounds to fester and decay, making them worse.

What is God saying to you right now?  Don’t ignore it, listen to that small quiet voice in the back of your head, telling you to seek healing, promise, truth and repair.  Ask for help, for if I am stuck at the bottom of the well and there are no handholds with which to climb out then my only salvation lay in the help provided by someone who is close enough to hear my cries for assistance.  Can I be that passer bye?  Can I give you a hand up, a word of encouragement a sympathetic but honest friend who understands that we have all failed and are in need of salvation?  Can I provide enough love to you today that you might see that Jesus has been waiting there all along, praying for you, hoping in you, knowing that one special day you would come to the knowledge of the truth and turn your heart to Him for forgiveness, repentance, healing, relief and repair?  Let this be the day where we investigate the options together.  Lay down your cares and your worries at the Cross, let the Lord set you free from sin and death and begin to live again with Jesus.  In His Holy Name I pray for you this day.  Amen