Fresh Manna
by Pastor Tim Burt

When you think about the word “hurt” what comes to mind? Do you think pain? Do you think of an ache in your body? Do you think of a time or incident where you were physically suffering—maybe even right now? Who hasn’t experienced aches or pains or circumstances that have caused physical pain? Yet I can’t help but wonder; have people experienced more emotional pain than physical pain? Anxiety and fear is like an inner pain. It hurts and you wish it would go away. Unresolved problems or relational schisms create a lot of inner pain and hurt. As I think back, there has been much more of this than physical pain in my life.

As I look around, I see so many hurting people. Let me qualify this. I see a lot of wonderful people with absolutely over the top attitudes that are working through tough times. They keep their smiles. They’re making lemonade out of lemons. They’re doing their best in difficult life situations. But they are also carrying around a lot of hurt—the pressures and stress from trying to make it through challenging times.

Unlike a physical pain that attempts to linger whether we like it or not, the inner pain is something we can and need to drain from our life each day. Like a bathtub filled with dirty water, we need to drain the cares, worries, anxieties, and inner hurts from our lives daily. How can that happen? It couldn’t unless it was a supernatural thing. With Jesus as your Lord, with His Holy Spirit as your helper, and with the promises of His Word, you can experience that help from God to pull the plug on your inner hurts each day. It is a supernatural thing. Only the Lord can do this and only God’s Word carries the power to speak to your heart and accomplish this! It does take faith though. You have to follow the instruction of God’s Word to drain this daily swamp. These are our instructions: 

First:1 Peter 5:6 (NLT) “So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor.”  There is power in humility. You’re not as in control of your life as you may think you are. If you truly believe God is there for you, then trust him patiently to turn things around. Understand that it may take time. Humility keeps you trusting in God. Pride makes you want to fix it yourself and fix it now! Have fun with that! The choice is up to you, but God is telling you to humble yourself under His mighty power.

Second: 1 Peter 5:7 (RSV) “Cast all your anxieties on him, for he cares about you.” Have faith that God loves and cares for you. Each day drain those hurts by casting them unto the Lord. I personally envision laying them at His feet and walking away. Then praise Him for His love for you and that He cares for you. Don’t distrust that. Jesus already proved it. He gave you His best. He’ll continue to help you walk out your life with blessing if you’ll trust Him. Through your faith and patience, you will see Him turn things around.

Thirdly: 1 Peter 5:8-9 (NLT) “Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your Christian brothers and sisters all over the world are going through the same or worse kinds of suffering. The Lord wants us to understand that the devil works to prey upon those who fall to his lies and deceits. Don’t be one of them. You are not without God, therefore you are not without His love and help!” You can either take God’s counsel and be aware of how the devil tries to hurt and discourage you and let the Lord show you how to resist it, or you can become the devil’s victim. Jesus gave you the power over your enemy! Use it and declare it in the name of Jesus! 

A while back I received some bad news and had a fitful sleep. Enough was enough! I got up and drained the pain! God’s Word did exactly what I knew it would. It lifted me right into that truth that encouraged me and uplifted me and removed the pain—“For He cares what happens to me.” (1 Peter 5:7) He will do the same for you! Daily, if you drain the pain!

Lament. 3:22-25  (NLT) “The unfailing love of the Lord never ends! By His mercies we have been kept from complete destruction. Great is his faithfulness; His mercies begin afresh each day. I say to myself, “The Lord is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in Him!” The Lord is wonderfully good to those who wait for him and seek Him.”

In His love,
Pastor Tim Burt

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Published by Pastor Tim Burt
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