The Intimacy of Pain

The Intimacy of Pain.  2 Timothy 4.6; Psalm 119.49

My definition of intimacy has broadened as I have matured and gotten older; actually, I hope yours has too!  My goodness, when I was a young teen-aged girl, intimate things were the embarrassing things my old-school mom (who was really the age of a grandma) sorta tried to tell me about, all the while trying not to touch them with a 10-foot-pole. 

There are intimate things shared in private with those who are the closest to us—no matter our age – the things we would never admit to the public.  I have experienced the oh, so precious intimate moments of childbirth four momentous times.  They were all so very different, none easy or textbook, unique one from another.  And I have been with those in the equally-if-not-more-intimate, rather precious moments at the close of life when trust is paramount. 

There is the special moment when someone you care about confides something deeply personal or private to you.  And another intimate moment I love is when someone speaks about his first experience of the presence of God within.  Any or all who are listening know they are standing on sacred ground as the person describes his feeling.  There is a hush, and folks usually have the sense to keep still and listen.  It truly is an intimate time.  I had one of those experiences very recently.  It was bittersweet as there was a recollection of the first God-enveloping moment juxtaposed with the pain of great loss.  Only God can justify such things … and one day he will.  [When I use the word ‘justify’ here, I am referring to it in the accounting sense of the word, when God will set all things straight.  God alone is our justifier.]

That is one of the reasons I love him so, and will stay faithful.  I believe that one day God will right all wrongs.  Those who have loved much, sacrificed greatly, possibly without much recognition or gratitude, will be recognized.  Questions will be answered – questions that have nagged at us for years, begging for answers and understanding.  Gaping wounds of the heart will be forever healed ~ all in the blink of an eye, every one in an instant.

Here in 2 Timothy 4.6, Paul says, ‘For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near…’  So many thoughts, so much emotion, eh?  Not unlike our own times of hurt.

In the last Morning Briefing, “What does God say to those who Hurt?” http://pastorwoman.com/ReadArchive.aspx?id=1408, I referenced several scriptures.  There is power in apprehending these scripture verses for our own, being able to share them with others – and maybe more important than anything, praying these words back to God.  When we quote God’s word to him, we take him at his word, and we hold him to his promises.  With the psalmist, we say, “Remember your promise to me;
it is my only hope.”  Psalm 119.49

From God, this is heart for you ~

1 – Matthew 11.28 - Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. NLT

2 – Psalm 121.4 - Indeed, he who watches over Israel
never slumbers or sleeps. NLT   Naturally, you sleep – but your loving God does not.  He is always watching, always aware, and interceding for you.

3 – Psalm 34.18 - The Lord is close to the brokenhearted;
he rescues those whose spirits are crushed. NLT

4 -  John 14.27 - Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. NKJV

5 –  Zephaniah 3.17- The Lord your God is with you;
the mighty One will save you.
He will rejoice over you.
You will rest in his love;
he will sing and be joyful about you.” NCV

6 – 2 Corinthians 12.9 - But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. NIV

So God, we pray for those amongst us who need your great peace.  O God, come and heal!  Come and minister the sweet balm of your presence.  For those who have lost much, may they in direct proportion experience the greatness of your love … may they seek you for daily grace, ready then to daily receive from you.  For you, dear God, keep track of all of our sorrows; you collect all our tears in a bottle.¹  There is nothing that escapes you and one day, you will wipe every tear away.² 

Dear friends, do not shy away from your friend or loved one who is hurting.  I realize that you might worry you will not have the ‘right’ thing to say; the best and greatest right thing is your love, concern and presence.  Then ask God to give you grace-filled words or silences ~ I assure you, he will answer your prayer.