Push past the ouch

OUCH!  When I saw the knife that was my immediate thought.  My husband has quite a few knives.  I guess they are called pocket knives.  Maybe it’s a guy thing but most of the time he either has one in his pocket or one strapped to his belt.  To me, there is nothing special about them so when he told me our nephew recently gave him yet another knife I thought nothing of it until he showed it to me.   With enthusiasm plastered all over his face he presented the knife.  That is when I quickly noticed it had a two-edged blade.  That is what made me think, “Ouch! That thing will have an impact going in and coming out.”

For the WORD that God speaks is alive and full of power [making it active, operative, energizing, and effective]; it is sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating to the dividing line of the breath of life (soul) and [the immortal] spirit, and of joints and marrow [ of the deepest parts of our nature], exposing and sifting and analyzing and judging the very thoughts and purposes of the heart. Hebrews 4:12 AMP.

Many of you know that I am a very recent recipient of a right ear cochlear implant.  One could say my right ear wasn’t quite operating effectively.  To implant required surgery and an incision was made behind my ear.  The operation resulted in a needed process to heal.  Both internally and externally. 

You know for years I had regularly scheduled appointments with my surgeon.  At each appointment he talked about the positive impacts of implants.  My doctor empathized with my weakness and wanted me to be healed.  He knew what I needed but for years I resisted.  And for years he waited patiently.  

As I struggled with understanding what my future would be like possibly without hearing, I continued to spend time with Jesus.  Interestingly enough, not because I was looking for healing per se for many times I did not come hand clapping about my perceived destiny.  

Little by little the Master Surgeon operated and healed.   Little by little I developed confidence in knowing and trusting the Master Surgeon.  Little by little I learned to think differently about my circumstances and trust that no matter what I would be okay.  Jesus knew what I was going through because, again, like the doctor, HE empathized with my weakness and knew what I needed to be healed.   I kept coming to the appointments, one could say, to meet with the Surgeon, and walked away with TRUTHS.  Of promise.  Of hope. Of peace.   Then one day I realized that I was no longer bound by my circumstance but I was free in letting go and knowing God was in control.  Not just with my hearing but with my life.  It came about by daily spending time with HIM in the Word.  Allowing HIM to operate as only HE can do. To me, it was like I finally could push past the ouch in my life. 

My prayer today is that we go beyond the surface and allow Jesus to operate as only HE can do.  Daily spending time with HIM in the Word.  

After all, the surgery is not for HIM.  The WORD is not for HIM.  It is for us.   For us to be healed emotionally, physically, mentally and spiritually.  All because HE loves us.

Don’t you just love it when Jesus weaves HIMSELF into our every day lives? 

Be Strengthened and Encouraged in HIM,
Liz