Maneuvers - No. 83
Healed and
Whole
This world of ours is full of pain, isn’t it? Ways to get hurt. Ways to hurt others.
All of it reminds us that we weren’t made for this world. We were made for eternity with Jesus, for a place where there’s no crying or pain, where there’s just love and truth and peace and wholeness.
And one day, Jesus will restore this world of ours to make it new and perfect… but until then, we still face the hurts of this broken world and the broken people in it.
And yet we’re not alone in that pain, are we? The Bible tells us we have a Comforter, Holy Spirit, who never leaves us (see John 14:16). He sees our hurts, heals us with love and truth, and gives us strength to obey our heavenly Father and draw closer to him.
So where do you need healing, friend? In your relationships, in broken dreams and disappointments, in doubts or grief or depression, in jealousy or insecurity?
As we’ll see in today’s FLAG message, Holy Spirit gives us his word—he will heal us. It’s not something he might do but a promise that’s sure and firm.
But this healing is a journey, isn’t it? And each day we can choose to allow our Comforter in or not. To let him guide us or focus on our own way. To receive his love or believe the lie that we’re unlovable.
Today, let’s choose to let him in. Let’s choose to listen…
01.
The Message
“You are not dried up, spent, with no idea where to turn. That is not you. That is not true. I have dreams for you that you have not heard. Remain in me, stay close to me, and you shall hear me speak.
“I am with you, in the quiet, when you feel completely alone. And I am with you on the days that feel like they are galloping past you, making you bewildered—exhausted and confused.
“Pause. Stay here. It is okay if you don’t have answers to the problem that is worrying you. It is okay that you are overwhelmed and don’t know the next step to take. It is okay that you lack energy, that you are lonely, that you are scared, that you are complacent. It is okay that you doubt me. I am here, listening now, and loving you. I am not going anywhere.
“Together, let’s peel back the layers of pain you are feeling. Let’s expose what you have been hiding—skepticism, fear, envy, pride, malice, greed. Let me help you not pretend that you aren’t hurting. Let me help you not feel tempted, in your pain, to hurt yourself and other people, too.
“You are okay with me. Truly, for I know you. I know each wound. Stay here with me. I adore you and am here to equip you with love’s power to heal what hurts you now. I promise, with time, to make you completely whole.”
02.
Listen
In one word, what’s your reaction to today’s message? Let’s think about that word for a few moments and then flesh out a written response to the Lord.
03.
Think
“He forgives your sins—every one. He heals your diseases—every one. He redeems you from hell—saves your life! He crowns you with love and mercy—a paradise crown. He wraps you in goodness—beauty eternal. He renews your youth—you’re always young in his presence” (Psalm 103:3-5, MSG).
1. Where do you feel dried up and spent? In what ways do you feel alone or unlovable?
2. What do you think needs to change in order for you to feel loved by God? What lies (maybe learned from past experiences) might be standing in the way?
3. Pause for a moment—maybe set a timer for three minutes—and ask the Lord, “What is the next step in my healing?” Did God lay anything on your heart? If so, write it down.
04.
Trust
When our hearts are in a lot of pain, it’s easy to feel alone. We may even feel as though God isn’t there.
Even King David felt this way at times. In Psalm 22:1, he said, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, from the words of my groaning?” (ESV).
Jesus later said these same words on the cross—while bearing the full brunt of our sin and the shame of it.
But because Jesus paid that price for us, we are never truly alone. Instead, our Father is always with us, always ready to receive us and show us favor. We also have Holy Spirit living in us—the very presence of God.
And yet… we can still feel alone sometimes, can’t we? In those hurts, those raw, broken places.
Let’s take some time today to acknowledge Jesus’ presence in those areas.
To start, let’s find a quiet spot where we can be alone and even speak out loud to Jesus if we want. Then, let’s think of the areas in our lives where we feel most alone and hurt.
When you think of those hurting places, what do you see? A specific memory of someone hurting you? An image of you alone?
Now, let’s invite Jesus into that picture. Do you see him yet? What is he doing? Weeping with you? Shielding you? Holding you?
Let’s write down how Jesus’ presence in those memories or images makes us feel. What words do we use to describe his closeness?
Now, let’s read Psalm 73:23-26 out loud—as if each word was our own:
“Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory. Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever” (NIV).
How do those words resonate with you, friend? Let’s close in prayer.
05.
Pray
Jesus, I don’t want to pretend I’m not hurting anymore. Help me remove every mask and expose every lie I’ve been believing. Fill me with your truth—let it wash over my heart and saturate my mind.
I give you these hurting places. I confess my doubts and my insecurities. (Let’s list them here and surrender each one.)
I trust you to heal me, and I choose to believe you when you say you are always with me. I love you so much, Lord.
In Jesus’ name, amen.
Waving the banner with you,
