We
all go through struggles and hard times. Life is not fair. There are
times of sadness, despair, and regret. The Psalmist paints a picture of
someone trapped in an emotional downward spiral.
Everything seems
overwhelming and yet, in the end, they were able to say that there is
encouragement in seeking God’s help. Why? Because God hears us. There
are two types of trauma that brings the kind of despair
that we read in today’s passage. There is the trauma of “not getting
what we need” , and then there is the trauma of “getting something that
we should have never received.” The first is the result of neglect and
abandonment, the second from abuse. But the good news is that God hears
us in our despair and He can help us. Life brings each of us inescapable
traumas that block maturity. God’s redemptive activity comes to us in
two ways: He brings healing to our traumas, and adopts us into His
family. Both ways boost us through our blocks to maturity, along the way
to wholeness, With these boosts, we will be able to live from the
hearts He gave us, our true identities will emerge, and our
relationships with family and community will be characterized by joy.
Today, praise God for His healing. It is there for you as you bring your
pain to Him. Also, praise God for His family. It is through the
fellowship and love from each other that we are made whole and can
experience the joy He has for us.
“Save me, O God, for the
floodwaters are up to my neck. Deeper and deeper I sink into the mire; I
can’t find a foothold. I am in deep water, and the floods overwhelm me.
I am exhausted from crying for help; my throat is parched. My eyes are
swollen with weeping, waiting for my God to help me.” – “Let all who
seek God’s help be encouraged. For the LORD hears the cries of the
needy.” Psalms 69: 1-3, 32-33 (NLT)