Alex on #Healing

What hurts you?
When I was eight, my dad left my mom for another woman. My parents got divorced, and my dad moved away. That hurts me. I feel like my dad left me. Like I'm not worth it.
So what hurts you? Maybe you have some family troubles like I do. Maybe people at school don't understand you. Maybe you don't fit in. Maybe you're struggling with a secret or pain in a relationship. Maybe you feel like you aren't good enough. You've got scars just like me.

Tonight at Varsity, Mike and Josh told us about the different ways our scars can heal. We can either put a "band-aid" on the emotional scar, or we can put stitches and ice and a cast on it. See, a band-aid will not be enough to heal our scars. A band-aid could be one of three reactions...

1. We can explode or blow up with anger.
2. We can pout or sulk and hide.
3. We can deny and pretend it never happened.

But reacting like that is like putting a band-aid on a big gash across your arm. It doesn't work. But you can stitch up your arm and wrap it in gauze. And you can turn to God for healing your emotional scars.

When I was upset with my dad and my step-mom, I would often pretend I wasn't upset. I would deny that I was in pain. But that's not working. I realized that I need to face my pain and depend on God for healing. God can help me work out my relationship with my dad. I don't have to deny my pain anymore. Remember: God will never waste your hurt. He will never let your hurt go unnoticed. He can use your pain in your life and in the lives of others.

In time, we can echo the words of David in Psalm 30:2, "O LORD my God, I called to You for help and You healed me."

Alex W / Message Writer