Saturday Sermonette - Writing from the Pain

To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven:

Sometimes writers use their readers as their pets, someone to vent on, to cry on their shoulders. I admit it, I've not been very sympathetic to that. Sometimes too, we put our own struggles into our works of fiction. It's a way of digging into our feelings and working them out. Of admitting God really is in control, despite the fact that the circumstances seem to indicate otherwise.

Are you feeling a little like a guinea pig yet?

Today I'm feeling like, well, like a possum pancake. If you have possums where you live, you've seen a few of those. Flat, lifeless, and a little smelly. Except for the smelly part (I hope) that's me today.

I'm not sure what the near or distant future holds, except that now, a hurting heart seems to reign. Know that feeling?

Well, I told a friend this week that you can't always trust your feelings. They will lie to you. You "just know" you're going to get a certain job, a promotion, or a really cool bonus--but it doesn't happen. You feel like no one loves you, like doom and gloom sit on the throne, or nothing will ever be all right again--but that too passes. See what I mean?

So--pain isn't necessarily a sign that all is rotten in the world. Feelings are just feelings. Pain itself is rotten, but this too shall pass. It will. I promise.

God is still there. God still loves you. He still wants to be a part of your life. He walks with you through every last step of the nail-strewn path. Barefoot. Feeling all the pain you do. Crying with you. Bleeding whenever you feel chopped up.

He's like that.

You can trust Him.

See this incident in your life as another chance to lean on him. He's got broad shoulders.

Lord--You are so good. Thanks for being a friend when we need one. I love You. Amen.