When the Truth Hurts

To listen to the morning, mid-day, or evening news and other times not mentioned, isn't something I do with any regularity. I'm a scanner. I'll scan the headlines on the Internet and if something interests me, I read it.

Having a general idea of what's happening in some instances is enough. I do not care to hear drama unless it's a movie or show that's staged as drama. The news has become filled with so much drama until I'm unable to tolerate it. It's mostly negative, too.

I get the news of a friend, families, and strangers experiencing difficult times, firsthand. A neighbor's struggle as a single parent trying to get unemployment benefits extended to keep a roof over her family's head, does not need to be dramatized when the facts are what they are.

These are not stories that were made up. They are true. People are hurting. As a compassionate person, what do we do to prevent this truth from crippling us emotionally? How can we ignore the struggles being faced by others? What do we do when you are struggling to maintain, as well?

Sadness engulfed me yesterday. I can't ignore the circumstances and the truth. I'm not in a position to write a check to make it better for the people I care about. I care about everyone! There are personal needs, too.

Thoughts run through my mind. Not good thoughts so I immediately disown them and give them no power by speaking anything except to say, "I cancel out those thoughts. They are not mine and I take no ownership of them."

I have learned if I do not "cast my cares" on the One who asks for them (1 Peter 5:7),  I am paralyzed by my emotions. There is no mobility when paralysis is present. When the emotions are paralyzed, our thoughts are handicapped. How can we function rationally?

The enemy doesn't want us to function rationally but irrationally. That's why emotions are triggered. But the word of God said to walk not after the flesh (emotions) but after the Spirit. "There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit." (Romans 8:1) Remember Footprints in the Sand? He carries us and our cares when we give in to the Spirit.

When the truth hurts, we must immediately declare the word of the LORD and with authority to allow its power to destroy yokes and release burdens.

I have found a good rule of thumb for me to know I am in my humanity instead of His divinity is when any "feeling" or "emotional" symptom lingers. Note, I did not say we are not to feel emotions. Jesus wept. (John 11:35) But he didn't carry on for hours or Lazarus may not have been raised from the dead.

"There is nothing He and I together can't handle." I'm unable to give credit to whoever said that but it bears mentioning. I may not be able to write a check to help out but I am very able to pray against what is seen or known and have faith for what is not seen.

When the truth hurts, we must not stop believing and go to Him in prayer. Prayer changes things. My burdens were lifted after declaring God's word. He said, "If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you."  John 15:7

It is up to us to do what He says, believe it and give Him thanks for taking care of it even if our eyes do not see it. Seeing to believe goes to the senses and emotions which means we're in the flesh. It also is not what faith is.

To master this, we must have a mind transformation and renewal. We know what's going on in the world (or perhaps not) but we are not to be conformed to it. Romans 12:2 

"Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."  Phillipians 4:8 KJV

When we operate in the Spirit, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father." John 14:12

Let's be intercessors for each other and those who are hurting and lost. When the truth hurts, we must go to Jesus and talk to the Father. Remember what He said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." John 14:6

August 2009 by Avis Ward of GeoVi's Home for Pregnant Teens

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» left by Dr Clarence Rucker, Jr from MI (2 years 263 days ago.)

"There is nothing He and I together can't handle." Avis, that quotation is yours. Give credit to God for giving that word to you. I have a good word for this article...AMEN... Other words, count it to be so. Very good encouragement in this article. Why? It is TRUTH.

Remember, we always say: "Truth will hurt, heal, and set you free.

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» left by Avis Ward (2 years 263 days ago.)

Amen to that, Doc. "Truth will hurt, heal, and set you free." That's why Satan doesn't want us to know it! Your comments are always encouraging to me. What I like, also is that you add either so much more or a little morsel of His truth every time. I appreciate you very much. Thank you.

Have a very good weekend! Blessings!

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» left by Susan Thom (2 years 263 days ago.)

hi avis,

 

very clever writer: Phillipians 4:8 KJV

 

this was so well written, and i believe in carrying God with me at all times. i talk to Him several times a day, and never, has a problem been solved, that i haven't know who was behind it. oh, i may have done the work, but the steps were provided in my head for me to take the steps for a positive outcome.

 

thank you for sharing this,

 

my best to you,

 

sue

 

love the picture again.  

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» left by Avis Ward (2 years 263 days ago.)

*smiling* Hi Sue,

I thought you'd recognize that! (Phillipians 4:8 KJV)

Thank you for your comments on the aricle and pic. You have the peace of mind you've had for some time now even though your life was chaotic because "I believe in carrying God with me at all time. I talk to Him several times a day . . . " That supports perfectly what this article says.

My best to you. Have a very good weekend.

Avis

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» left by Edward Rhymes (2 years 263 days ago.)

 

Thank you Sister. You always seem to have your finger on the pulse of love and I bless you for that. I would like to add my AMEN in the form of a song:

 

1. Whether I live or die,

 

Whether I wake or sleep,

 

Whether upon the land,

 

Or on the stormy deep;

 

When ’tis serene and calm,

 

Or when the wild winds blow,

 

I shall not be afraid—

 

I am the Lord’s, I know.

 

2. When with abundant store,

 

Or in deep poverty,

 

When all the world may smile,

 

Or it may frown on me;

 

When it shall help me on,

 

Or shall obstruct my way,

 

Still shall my heart rejoice—

 

I am the Lord’s today.

 

3. When I am safe at home,

 

Or in a foreign land,

 

When on an icebound shore,

 

Or on a sunlit strand;

 

When on the mountain height,

 

Or in the valley low,

 

Still doth He care for me—

 

I am the Lord’s, I know.

 

4. Nothing shall separate

 

From His unbounded love,

 

Neither in depths below,

 

Nor in the heights above;

 

And in the years to come,

 

He will abide with me;

 

I am the Lord’s indeed,

 

For all eternity.

 

By Charles W. Naylor

 

 

Have blessed day my dear Sister.

 

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» left by Avis Ward (2 years 263 days ago.)

You're welcome, Edward. Thank you, Brother! I have not heard that song before and how appropriate. Wow! Tears of joy rolled from my eyes before I reached the second verse. I was blessed by it, thank you for sharing it and for your uplifting comments. I want to be like Jesus. Meek and lowly, humble and holy. *smile* I give Him all glory!

PS I will look for the song to hear it. Have a fantastic weekend!

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» left by Brianna Popsickle (2 years 262 days ago.)

 

Timing is everything Avis. I too am struggling these days with thoughts of so many people close to me dealing with serious  financial or relationship issues. Like you, I'm unable to write a cheque, or to 'fix' things for them the way I would like to.  I do what I can, and that is offer a shoulder to lean on, an ear to listen,  arms to wrap around them. But I must say these days it leaves me feeling pretty useless,  to the point of becoming overwhelmed by all the emotion. I include them in my prayers of course, and ask each day for strength and direction to  ways I could be of more help. Your article, by the way, helped me today Avis. Thank you.  

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» left by Avis Ward (2 years 262 days ago.)

Brianna, thank you for "coming over" to read this article. I'm thankful you were helped by it. Yes, timing is everything. Your comments ministered to me. "I do what I can, and that is offer a shoulder to lean on, an ear to listen,  arms to wrap around them."  And, "...and ask each day for strength and direction to  ways I could be of more help."

You're very welcome. Thank you, too, Brianna.

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» left by Marijo Phelps (2 years 250 days ago.)

Well written, enjoyed reading this and agree with you! Marijo (Mary Jo)

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» left by Avis of SC (2 years 250 days ago.)

Thank you, Marijo. God bless you.

Warmest regards,

Avis

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» left by EmilyCragg from cyberspace (2 years 180 days ago.)

The truth ALWAYS hurts, because it's aimed at the false face. Nobody wants to hear that they never bothered to hear the truth before now--do they?

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» left by Avis in SC (2 years 139 days ago.)

Emily, such profound truth in your comments. You're absolutely correct in both statements! Thank you for adding to this article and please forgive my delay in replying. Blesssings to you!

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» left by Otrie Barrett Jr from Chicagoland (2 years 141 days ago.)

Marvelous word sister! It so true that we must keep the tone of the Lord in our mouth and heart. Walking in harmony with his opinions or righteousness is leading us to unity in the Spirit, and the very security and robust faith we need to speak in this world when thing look dim. Remember the Lord said Caleb had a different spirit. With the tone of the Lord in his heart and mouth, though there were giants in the land, he also saw juicy grapes in the land, the Lords provision. So...he went in. Praise Jehovah Jireh for His GrapelatiOus Word

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» left by Avis in SC (2 years 141 days ago.)

Otrie, thank you my brother! I was inspired and encouraged by YOUR comments! Wow! They were so well suited to have been apart of what I wrote. Being on one accord in Christ is sweet, isn't it? And I do Praise Jehovah Jireh, my Provider! Love the "Grapelatious Word" phrase!  You have sermons inside of you, you write so well. Please join us! If not here at SearchWarp dot com but hopefully both.  *grin* Write as you can and I am sure your following will grow because of the clarity of your God-given and quest for Christ.

Thanks for coming over from Twitter at not much more than a hint of this site. I pray you become a permanent fixture.

Merry Christmas to you and yours, dear brother!

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» left by Otrie Barrett Jr from Chicagoland (2 years 139 days ago.)

Thanks for the invitation to contribute. I really do have years of writings to offer which the Lord has laid on my heart.  Now is the youth of my public contribution to writing, so your encouragement is most appreciated sister. I'm starting new blog my  website that will address what the Lord has laid on my heart for whoever has an ear to hear, and I'd be eager to share on this blog as well. I know the Fathers zeal, love, mercy, grace, rebuke and discipline continue to ready me for new things.

Recently I have been writing about the goal of the Lord's love and discipline in our lives. I think if more people understood that God is not restricting us, but leading us to share in His holiness (wholeness) Hebrews 12, then many who have mocked the mere idea of Jesus would flock to His loving invitation. Jesus is fully human, and fully God, and that's what standard the Father has prepared for us all with Christ as our head, oneness, unity, wholeness...

It's just too wonderful for me to start up in here on this comment, but soon my friend. Thank you for making contact Avis. You've made a new kindred friend :O) Have a marvelous Christmas, full of love and cheer at your table.

Otrie

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» left by Avis in SC (2 years 130 days ago.)

You're welcome, my new kindred friend and thank you!

A Happy New Year to you!

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» left by aaroncirilo.org from Louisiana (2 years 130 days ago.)

Truth hurts but not nearly as much as not facing it. God's yoke is easy compared to sin's weight. Good article.

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» left by Avis Ward from SC (2 years 130 days ago.)

Amen to that! I would rather know the truth. "God's yoke is easy compared to sin's weight." That's a good sermon! :) Thank you for reading and leaving the wisdom we need to hear in your comments. You're invited to submit articles. I feel you will bless us.

A Happy New Year filled with a harvest of blessings for you and yours.

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