Life is painful at times. Life is full of emerging hope at other times. Life can be a beautiful thing, but for some, it takes a long process to get to the end of pain and arrive at beautiful. Everyone goes through stuff in this world; there is no way around it, even Jesus said, “I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 NLT
The King James version of this verse uses the word tribulation. The Greek word translated as tribulation is thlipsis, and it means anguish, trouble, affliction, persecution; and in medical terminology, it implies a compression, especially constriction of vessels by an external cause.
Don’t Give People Power of Your Pain
People are used for evil or good; it depends on the individual’s heart and who they have submitted themselves. The Bible tells us to Submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Ja 4:7 It is through people that we are loved, accepted, hated, or rejected. People have as much power over us as we will give them. Sometimes a person is working for the enemy, and they are not even aware of it. Their tongues are used to slash at others with hateful words and destructive, demonic doctrines of death. We must remember where our battle really is.
For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual [hosts] of wickedness in the heavenly [places]. - Eph 6:12 NKJV
The same word thlipsis describes the oppression, affliction, tribulation, and distress that the unseen, but very real spiritual realm does in our atmosphere. We may not be aware of the oppression in the spiritual environment, but that doesn’t make it any less real. Satan has a desire, a drive if you will, to kill, steal, and destroy everything good that relates to God and everything that He loves. The devil will use people to do his bidding which is why it is imperative as a Christ follower that we are aware of the schemes of Satan. If we know what is about to be thrown at us, we stand a better chance of deflecting it.
Jesus said we would get hurt in this life, but for those in Christ Jesus, we have a promise at the end of this life. We are promised an eternity spent with the Father who created everything. God. The Eternal One. Isaiah the Prophet said, “He will swallow up death forever, And the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from all faces; The rebuke of His people He will take away from all the earth; For the LORD has spoken. 9 And it will be said in that day: Behold, this [is] our God; We have waited for Him, and He will save us. This [is] the LORD; We have waited for Him; We will be glad and rejoice in His salvation." - Isa 25:8-9 NKJV
Jesus has gone to prepare a room for all of those who have put their faith in Him as the Savior of the world, but until then we still have a life to live. Jesus said He came to give us abundant life, but what about those who have suffered for years under the oppressive hand of abuse?
The recovery process for many is a lifetime and can rob a person of the abundant life. This is a terrible thing to think about, but it is a reality to many. We need to be real with each other and confess the hope in Jesus Christ for everything in our lives and yet be willing to help others who struggle to cope with their history. Life can bring devastating blows at times, especially to vulnerable children and when those children grow up, they become a reflection of their environment. As such, they may do the work of the devil until they come to the saving grace of Jesus Christ and even after that they may still be so gravely wounded that they continue to serve the father of lies instead of the Father of life. It’s a choice everyone has to make at some point in their life.
God gives His children a choice, life and blessings or death and curses. Whatever we choose in this life will affect those around us, but especially our children and grandchildren.
"I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, [that] I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live; - Deu 30:19 NKJV
Many of us need to make a choice to do things differently from the way we were raised. Many are raised in abusive “don’t ask, don’t tell” environments and as such have become adults that struggle to control their emotions in a healthy way. If we don’t want our family line to continue in these behaviors and patterns, we must resolve to do something different.
The determination to keep from living a life filled with destructive words and actions is a good start; this determination will get you looking for help and hopefully Jesus if you don’t already know Him. However, there are always residual effects, even when we think we have done well. Darkness in a fractured soul will always find a way to leak through. When Jesus enters the picture, the Light comes forth, and a battle between evil and good, pain and peace can pursue and victory had. Until Jesus becomes the Lord of our lives there is no genuine healing, some perhaps, but not in the fullness that Jesus can bring.
I don’t think we should try to sugarcoat another’s pain nor should we be quick to give a religious answer. Hurting people need to be heard, and they need to know they are understood, not crazy nor of no value. We should all make it our life’s mission to not only be the hands and feet of Jesus Christ but also His ears. We need to learn to be comforted by the Holy Spirit in our own pain and then offer that same comfort we received to those around us.
He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. 2Co 1:4 NLT
The word comfort is used 66 times in the New Testaments and here are a few things we should be comforted in, and we should give as comfort.
Comfort one another with words. (1Th 4:18)
Comfort yourselves together, edify one another. (1Th 5:11)
Comfort the weak minded. (1 Th 5:14)
Allow brothers and sisters in Christ to comfort you. (Col 4:11)
Comfort your hearts. (2 Th 2:17; Col 4:8; Eph 6:22)
Comfort others by your faith (1 Th 3:7)
Comfort (exhort) through prayer, intercession, thanksgiving, and supplications. (1Ti 2:1)
The word comfort translated from a Greek word, parakaleō means to comfort, exhort, entreat, and pray. All of these are action words, verbs. They all do something to bring comfort to another or yourself. We have the Holy Spirit to comfort us when we can't find anyone else that understands our troubles. Praying in your prayer language is an excellent way to get out of the pain and supernaturally be comforted.
If you are in need of comfort and can’t seem to find it I encourage you to agree with the prayer at the end of this article, allow God to wash over you as His child and diligently seek Him through worship, prayer, tears, and your heartfelt pain. He is not afraid of your emotions. Listen to the song On the Road to Beautiful by Charlie Hall, let it be your heart's cry.
Let’s pray,
Heavenly Father, I approach Your throne of grace and mercy for the needy ones, the ones who are tormented with pain in their fragmented souls . I ask that today these children of Yours would be comforted by a supernatural comfort. I pray that the peace of Jesus which surpasses all understanding would invade their souls and release them of the tormenting memories and thoughts of their past. I speak over them that nothing they have ever done and nothing that has been done to them defines their worth and value to this world or You. God love them in a new way today, one that will assure them that they will get through this time of heartache. I release by the power of the Holy Spirit comfort over the broken and hurting people; I speak acceptance over their rejection, understanding over their confusion, and peace over their chaos. I silence the voice of Satan with the authority of the name of Jesus Christ and command the accuser of the brethren to depart their presence now! I thank You, Lord Jesus, that you tore the veil and opened a way for us to enter the holy of holies. Take us there in the spiritual realm now. Teach the children of God how to walk in the Spirit so they can be kept in a safe place until the pain passes. I thank You, God, for hearing this prayer and for answering the call to the downtrodden and poor in spirit. Where minds are split, souls are shattered, and hearts are broken we trust You, God, to bring forth the healing from Heaven. We confess our love to You in Jesus name. Amen