Hurt

I seem to have a personality that lends me to being sad and feeling pain. I guess a lot of people would be surprised to hear that about me. (Then again, I know a few who would say that description is spot-on)

At any rate, I tend to go through phases of happiness separated by moods of sadness and pain. I am never sure if I hurt because I am seeing the world rightly or if I am just spiritually immature. Although, am certainly immature...

 I think sadness and hurt are very important in our lives. It's when I am hurting that I more readily notice my need for Christ's presence. It's when I am hurting that songs "How He Loves" hit me to my core. And scripture like "Whom have I in heaven but You and there is nothing on earth I desire but You. Though my heart and my flesh may fail, You are the strength of my heart and my portion forever."

Hurt is important. Without hurt, there is no healing.

Im not saying we should pursue hurt, but we should embrace it. Don't try to cause pain in your life or the lives of others. It will come all on it's own, but when it comes... When it comes, let it come because it is in our pain that we truly see how great God really is.

We live in a fallen world and we are all trying to go our own way. Suffering (to some degree)  is a guarantee. But through the storms of life we have an Anchor. Jesus Christ.

In every high and stormy gale, my anchor holds within the veil

Anchor of my soul, you remain, you sustain

How sweet the gospel sounds to ears like mine

Veni Sancte Spiritus

Come, Holy Spirit,

send forth the heavenly

radiance of your light.

Come, father of the poor,

come giver of gifts,

come, light of the heart.

Greatest comforter,

sweet guest of the soul,

sweet consolation.

In labor, rest,

in heat, temperance,

in tears, solace.

O most blessed light,

fill the inmost heart

of your faithful.

Without your grace,

there is nothing in us,

nothing that is not harmful.

Clense that which is unclean,

water that which is dry,

heal that which is wounded.

Bend that which is inflexible,

fire that which is chilled,

correct what goes astray.

Give to your faithful,

those who trust in you,

the sevenfold gifts.

Grant the reward of virtue,

grant the deliverance of salvation,

grant eternal joy.