Don't Hide Your Pain

I have frequently heard people ask or make the rhetorical statement that bad things happen to good people. However, the Bible makes it clear in advance that:

"¶Many hardships and perplexing circumstances confront the righteous, But the Lord rescues him from them all." ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭34‬:‭19‬ ‭AMP‬‬

The devil aims to hinder people's glorious destinies. Often, the busyness of life, the pursuit of wealth, and other schemes of the enemy can lead people into undesirable circumstances. When we stop listening to God, negative things can occur. Therefore, it is necessary to protect our relationship with Him fiercely.

"Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour." 1 Peter 5:8 NLT

Be sober [well balanced and self-disciplined], be alert and cautious at all times. That enemy of yours, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion [fiercely hungry], seeking someone to devour. 1 Peter 5:8 AMP

At times, individuals go through challenging and traumatic experiences, either from childhood or adulthood, and struggle to find someone they can trust to share their feelings with.

The Holy Spirit led me to a story about a woman fulfilling her responsibilities as a mother and running late to pick up her child from church. Unfortunately, someone on the church grounds attacked her in the dark. She questioned why God allowed such a thing to happen. The truth is God never desires evil to befall us.

She kept her trauma hidden from her spouse and children, carrying it alone until it nearly destroyed both herself and her family. She turned into a fearful and distant wife and mother.

The burden of suppressing past pain impacts our family, relationships, and everyone we care about. To fully embrace the bright future God has in store for us, including the gift of marriage, we must be honest about our struggles and let go of the hurt from the past.

Please don't hide your pain—it is part of your restorative journey. As we read in Psalm 34:19, your very nature is to overcome as a child of God. Those who hold onto the hurt from the past can intentionally or unintentionally hurt others. Pray that God guides you to people who genuinely care and that he prepares their hearts to embrace you. God brings people, including family, into our lives for a purpose. Some will teach us, help us grow, or usher us to healing.

If you're experiencing trauma, remember that it's not your fault for having to endure the challenges you've faced. Trust in God for healing and restoration—He will be there for you.

Have you ever wondered if demons might be influencing some people's behavior? You're not wrong. It's often a demon that drives individuals to conceal their pain, hurt others, and keep them trapped in the past. Such people need our prayers. There are deeper issues that make people hurt others, and we often miss it when we focus on ourselves alone.

We must be mindful of the seeds we plant and not bring pain or sorrow to others, as their impact extends far beyond ourselves. Our actions today can shape the lives of our children, grandchildren, and generations yet to come. With the abilities entrusted to us by God, it is our responsibility to ensure that we do not pass on pain or suffering to others.

"Don't be misled—you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant." Galatians 6:7 NLT

It's important to forgive those who have hurt us and create distance when necessary, but we must guard against letting hatred take root in our hearts. Someone out there needs our love, peace, and mental well-being. We can't offer what we don't possess ourselves. The first step is to nurture self-love.

Though pain can be hard to bear, God calls us to embrace the growth it brings.

"Practice and work hard on these things; be absorbed in them [completely occupied in your ministry], so that your progress will be evident to all. Pay close attention to yourself [concentrate on your personal development] and to your teaching; persevere in these things [hold to them], for as you do this you will ensure salvation both for yourself and for those who hear you." ‭‭1 Timothy‬ ‭4‬:‭15‬-‭16‬ ‭AMP‬‬

Recommended Bible Study: 1 Peter Chapter 5 (GNT)