Lessons from theHeart
Experiencing pain?
By PastorMicah Hudson

Hudson

The following is not meant to be deeply theological, and I would cringe if a literature teacher decided to take it under one's scrutiny. This was written during one of those personalmoments for me, exactly two years ago, that we don't always share. Yet, I wanted to share these ponderings in order for you to also see God's care for each one of us.

Luke 12:24 says "Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds?" (NIV)

Lord, It's 3 a.m.! What am I doing up again?

Is it something that I have said?

Is it something that I have done?

Is there someone who needs my prayer in Oregon?

Lord, there is a constant pain inmy arm; is this something that you could be working on? I need a healing touch from you. My faith is strong, but my patience, joy, andmental toughness are fading. My reliance on pain medicines is increasing.

Oh how I want to understand, how this pain and hurt fit into Your master plan!

Will this help me to identify with the constant pain that others experience daily?

Will this help me see that this body ain't what it used to be?

I need endurance and hope that goes far beyond taking my next Hydrocodone. I have not begun to experience the pain and loss of Job. I still cannot relate to the persecution of Paul. I even cannot say that this has even botheredme for amonth. And, I cannot begin to fathom the pain and suffering of hunger without any food.

Lord, help me to pray for those with many of these kinds of pains today. The kinds of pains that onlyYou really know and can begin to take away. Oh please help me understand that my pain and tension are small, compared to those who have lost a close loved one, after all.

So, Jesus, may You grant your healing touch to all who read these words. May they know that You care about all their deepest hurts. If You care about the birds, then how much more do you care about each one of us.

Help me remember your son, Jesus, died that wemight be free from the curse of pain someday. Lord, there are many who need Your healing touch today!

"You wonder why God doesn't heal you? He has healed you. If you are in Christ, you have a perfected soul and a perfected body. His plan is to give you the soul nowand the bodywhen you get home. He may choose to heal parts of your body before heaven. But if he doesn't, don't you still have reason for gratitude? If he never gave youmore than eternal life, could you ask for more than that? His grace is sufficient for gratitude." By Max Lucado from Experiencing the Heart of Jesus

Micah Hudson is youth director at Delphi United Methodist Church.