But It Hurts!

January 19, 2024January 17, 2024 / Mark Brady / Leave a comment

Sometimes it takes a while. Perhaps even years. But it always appears. You will eventually see it. The event(s) that causes it to appear can be different.

“I have taken care of her since I graduated high school. Now, forty years later, why she couldn’t understand that we had a personal tragedy in our family and that I needed to close my shop so I could be there for my family is beyond me. It hurts!”

The above was part of a conversation I had earlier this week. I tried to comfort my friend because I knew the person who was mean and evil. If I thought of how April would have said it, I would have. She would have said, “They showed you their face!” A Filippino expression that means they showed you who they really are. Again, it may take a while, but they usually do.

Knowing the offender very well, I shared with my friend what God revealed to me about them. I told them, “The spiritual eyes of their heart are closed.” Even though this person goes to church almost every time, the doors are open. Perfect attendance at church doesn’t mean they live a perfect life. A lot of people fall short of living a life of love, peace, and understanding.

When you see someone’s true face, and it hurts, usually, the only thing you can do is forgive them and pray for them. Respond in the most loving way possible, as Jesus Christ himself would. I read in a book by Dr. Henry Cloud (paraphrasing), “If it is someone who continues to hurt you, it’s okay to stay away from them.” Life is too short to live with unneeded or unwanted pain.

Give it to Me

October 9, 2020October 11, 2020 / Mark Brady / 2 Comments

A child grows up believing they’re an awful person, because their parent told them so. The only time they heard words come out of their parent’s mouth was when it was a complaint. And perhaps the volume was turned up way too high when those words were spoken. The parent’s own hurt created a toxic mess in the child’s heart. Know this; it wasn’t your fault. You didn’t do anything wrong.

Jesus says, “Give it to me.”

Years go by, and that ungodly belief sticks to the heart of the child, and it actually affects every future relationship that child grows up to have. One way to relate to hurt people is to wear a hazmat suit when around them, but those things are hot and heavy, and not readily available. So what is the answer?

Jesus says, “Give it to me.”

That beaten down and battered child grows up denying the pain exist. Even saying things like, “Oh, its okay. That’s just the way my parent was.” Yet they walk on in life struggling to carry the weight of it all, believing the lies. At times they buckle under the load and they wind up hurting someone else. Perhaps their own child, or spouse. Those hit by friendly fire walk away questioning, “What did I do?”

Jesus says, “Give it to me.”

There is only one way to fix it, to get delivered from the burden. In case you haven’t noticed I’ll repeat it one more time, give it to Jesus. He wants to take the load from you. He has been there your whole life, patiently waiting, but his heart broke when you wouldn’t surrender it to him. He has felt your pain, and every time you hurt he did too. Jesus doesn’t like to see those he died for hurting, and he died for everyone. Every time you have cried most likely he did too.

Jesus says, “Give it to me.”

Please, you have carried it way too long. It’s time to give it to Jesus. He can handle it. Don’t go another day living with the pain and trying to carry the load. Don’t fall asleep one more night on a wet pillow. Simply ask, “Jesus, will you take this from me, and heal my heart.” Then trust that he has heard you and will do just that. You will feel so much better. Your steps will be lighter, and you will see your world in living color.

“Are you weary, carrying a heavy burden? Then come to me. I will refresh your life, for I am your oasis. Mat. 11:28 (TPT)

I Had To

September 18, 2020September 16, 2020 / Mark Brady / Leave a comment

This week I choose to do something I didn’t want to do. My heart was restless as the date approached. I discussed the situation with a friend, and also with my wife. Then two days before the event my wife, my helpmate, said one word. As soon as I heard it, I knew. I knew what I had to do. I was thankful for her hearing God where I struggled.

You see, there are times when someone hurts you, and the pain goes deep into your heart. You tell them what they did, but they don’t care at all, and their pride keeps them from admitting wrong and apologizing. When this happens, you find yourself wanting to avoid them to protect your heart from future pain. As well, you don’t want to do anything for them, as you feel they do not deserve it. I had forgiven them, but I didn’t want to see them. I don’t mean to be so secret about the details, but I don’t want to give any clues that might identify the perp.

God’s word tells how to handle hurt:

Lay aside bitter words, temper tantrums, revenge, profanity, and insults. But instead be kind and affectionate toward one another. Has God graciously forgiven you? Then graciously forgive one another in the depths of Christ’s love. Ephesians 4:31-32 TPT

Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who hurt you. Luke 6:28 NLT

I did do the right thing, but I had to pray, a lot, and ask God for help. I also asked him to protect me, and help me not bring up the past while I was there. They did do one thing that bothered me while I was in their presence, but I left before the pain erupted. God is good at helping us in our time of need. His specialty is loving those who don’t deserve it.

If you are facing a similar situation, pray, and ask God to help you do the right thing that will glorify Him. You never know, but your loving kindness might just be the catalyst to change things around.

Kiss it!

July 21, 2020July 21, 2020 / Mark Brady / 2 Comments

072120 Remember going to your mother, or father, and asking them to kiss your boo boo? To make it go away? Or do you remember your own child asking you? My son, when he was about one year old, fell on some hard plastic toys, and hurt his bum. He cried as he climbed up on the sofa, laid back holding his legs up in the air and said, “Mommy, kiss my butt.” We know a kiss from a loving parent didn’t do anything, but there is something comforting knowing one who loves you, knows you are hurting.

Technically, I’m okay, but there is a something going on in my life right now, and it hurts. I don’t like it, and whether it is my fault or not I have blamed myself. I want to fix it, and have tried everything I can, to do just that, but the issue is still there. My wife responded with accuracy, “All we really need is help from God, not from anybody else.” So that leaves me with only one thing to do, cry out to God.

“God is always doing 10,000 things in your life, but you may be aware of only three of them.” John Piper

It’s okay to cry out to God. It’s okay so tell him how much it hurts, how much you don’t like it and how bad you want it gone, or over. God loves spending time with you and hearing from his children, because it gives him the opportunity to hug you, to comfort you, to kiss it, and make it go away.