"Those who suffer can respond to the call of the gospel with a certain abandonment and uncomplicated totality because they have so little to lose and are ready for anything." - Phillip Yancey

There is nothing in this world that can ease the suffering brought by it. There exists within this life every possible way of discomfort, pain, trial, and tribulation. We live in a broken world that groans for renewal. You and I have stories to tell, I'm sure, of the wounds and scars this world has left us with or presses upon us even today. Whether it is from sin, death, disease, and illness, or the hurts inflicted by people, we bear the marks of brokenness.

What is it in your life right now that just hurts?

At age 5 I carried the brokenness in my heart from the death of my father. I have endured the physical wounds of a broken body, and I know the pain of ill-spoken words and slander from those I loved. I have traveled the path of Psalm 13 much like David. I have come to see hope in it all. I have come to trust that God is good. That he is faithful and that he is not absent from my pain, he is amidst it.

There is nothing to heal, to mend, and to rescue you from the hurts in your life but God. That is where the place of healing and hope start, with the unfailing love of the Father. God is also intimately involved in orchestrating community in your life to support you and aid in the healing process. You aren't meant to do this on your own.

Amidst the struggle of the wounds that are still healing in my life I am strengthened by this passionate prayer:

"I ask you neither for health nor for sickness, for life nor for death; but that you may dispose of my health and my sickness, my life and my death for your glory...You alone know what is expedient for me; you are the sovereign master; do with me according to your will. Give to me, or take away from me, only conform my will to yours. I know but one thing, Lord, that it is good to follow you, and bad to offend you. Apart from that, I know not what is good or bad in anything. I know not which is most profitable to me, health or sickness, wealth or poverty, nor anything else in the world. That discernment is beyond the power of men or angels, and is hidden among the secrets of your Providence, which I adore, but do not seek to fathom." - a prayer by Blaise Pascal

May it be your prayer too as you embrace the healing love of God, and respond to the call of the gospel.

- Josh