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The right kind of sorrow
teaches us that real danger does not lie in letting others into our
heart. Danger is found in being like the abused dog that impulsively
bites or runs from anyone who gets too close. The same is true of our
relationship with God. It's dangerous to fearfully resist Him. But safety
is found by drawing near to Him.
Immediately after saying,
"Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted,"
Jesus said, "Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the
earth" (Matt. 5:5). In other words, those who do not resist and
rebel against God are to be envied. Those who surrender themselves to His
care and protection are to be congratulated.
This is the meek spirit of
the prodigal who having "seen the light" in the mess of his own
choices and broken relationships chooses to turn his heart toward the
Father's house (Luke 15:11-32). It is the rebellious child who returns
with no greater request than to be a servant in His Father's house. This
is the submissive attitude that gives a loving Father reason to
celebrate!
Even though victims of
abuse may have accepted Christ as Savior many years ago, they must
continually surrender to Him in the circumstances and damage of their
emotional turmoil.
If you find such surrender
difficult, remember the One who is asking for your trust. He understands
your pain, because He too was a victim. He suffered unimaginable crimes
against nature. He knew what it meant to bear the shame of others. He
knew what it meant to be alone, naked, bleeding in the darkness as He
pathetically cried, "My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?"
(Mark 15:34). No one better understands what it means to
suffer under the weight of someone else's sin. No one better understands
what it means to bear someone else's shame. No one better understands
what it meant to suffer in the darkness while God and all of the angels
of heaven remained silent. It is just as true that no one better
understands God's ability to help us. Three days later, this victim of
our sin rose from the dead to live His life through all who in surrender
would trust Him.
Infinite good came out of
that terrible abuse and darkness. Christ used His suffering to bring
millions of people into an eternal relationship with His Father. He used
His suffering to show that as the Father comforted Him so the Father can
comfort us. He can comfort all who will choose to give up their struggle
of self-protection and join their Savior in saying, "Nevertheless
not My will, but Yours, be done" (Luke 22:42).
Victims who submissively surrender themselves to
Christ, not only for their salvation but for daily cares, protection, and
change, will find themselves on a path of peace with God. They will see
the darkness of victimization change to the first dawning light of
freedom and hope.
It must be remembered that
biblical change through the right kind of sorrow and surrender will seem
very dangerous to someone who has already felt so much pain. But the risk
is only an illusion. The process actually awakens in victims a passion
for life. By bringing an end to wasted struggles, it increases their
energy level. By bringing them to a place of strength and personal
safety, it frees them to become concerned about others. Those who allow
their hearts to be broken by their own pain will find themselves
sensitized to the pain of others. It will stir up a desire to see wrongs
righted and even evoke a healthy sense of anger (2 Cor. 7:9-13). Those
who have mourned to a point of being comforted by God will find that
comfort received turns into comfort given.
Through sorrow and
surrender, God will bring about changes that will begin to bring peace to
the heart and restore the identity, purpose, and passion lost in the
feelings of powerlessness, betrayal, confusion, and rejection.
Curtis
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