September 12

Job 41:1-42:17
Psalm 107:10-16
Proverbs 22:13-14
1 Corinthians 15:35-58

Deep Trauma
So the Lord blessed the last part of Job’s life more than the first.
—Job 42:12

There are many “walking wounded” in the Christian church who have experienced some deep horror, such as physical beating, sexual abuse, or serious injury. The Holy Spirit yearns to heal you of these hurts, but He can only do so when you let Him.

For the Holy Spirit to be able to heal our deep hurts, we must be willing to part with the resentment that is often mixed up in them. When something traumatic happens to us, more often than not, we respond to it with a measure of self-pity and say, “Why should that have happened to me?” In whatever way you might justify the bitterness at the time, there must be a willingness to abandon all resentment before there can be a deep healing.

This is what I mean when I say that the Holy Spirit will heal your hurts—if you let Him. He can’t bring healing where there is bitterness. That would be like healing over a boil. When you truly part with the bitterness, however, then I assure you, a deep healing will begin.

Have you heard the story of Joni Eareckson Tada? Young, beautiful, vivacious, she had a diving accident that resulted in paralysis. She is now a quadriplegic. She paints pictures with a brush held between her teeth. Her witness has become worldwide. At first she was angry and bitter, but one day she let go of the bitterness and experienced inner healing. Outside she remained the same, but inside she was made anew.

Prayer
Blessed Holy Spirit, I see that when I hold onto bitterness and resentment, I succeed only in blocking Your healing power. I surrender every resentment, every ounce of self-pity, into Your hands, and receive in its place complete healing. Amen.

Further Study
Gn 41:51; Jb 42; Heb 12:15; Eph 4:31; Dt 32:32; Ac 8:23
What was Job’s confession?
When did God bring good out of Job’s calamity?

Every Day with Jesus Daily Bible – September 12