Have you ever had a hurt you thought had healed suddenly resurface for no apparent reason? This was my experience following a restless night mentally recycling a hurt I was certain I'd released. Yet, as I lay in bed at 3:00 a.m., still not asleep, it was apparent I had not.
The next morning, discouraged that I had allowed my thoughts to steal my peace and rest, I sat with my coffee, Bible, and journal and asked God this question, “How can I trust You with what still hurts?”
In His kindness, God led me to Psalm 62.
"Trust in him at all times; pour out your heart to him, for God is our refuge." Psalm 62:8 (NLT)
I think most often, we recognize our need to trust God when it comes to the "big things" in life: career moves, health concerns, financial choices, getting married, and raising children. Yet Scripture teaches that trust in God is not, nor should it be, reserved only for major events. In fact, Psalm 62:8 is clear that we are to trust God at all times. This includes seasons of fear, uncertainty, waiting, indecision, joy, celebration, and even seasons of hurt.
The Reason We Trust
There are many reasons to trust God, beginning with who He is: He is God. He is faithful, good, wise, and completely trustworthy. Unlike people, circumstances, or even our own feelings, He can always be trusted.
Yet perhaps the greatest reason we can trust God is because He is sovereign. This means that nothing we face, including our hurts, is outside His control or foreknowledge. And because we know God loves us, we can trust that whatever He allows in our lives has purpose, is redeemable, and will ultimately be used for our good, His glory, and the benefit of others.
How Do We Do This?
I believe we all genuinely want to trust God with what hurts. Yet sometimes we simply don't know how to begin. Thankfully, the second half of Psalm 62:8 gives us a clear picture of how we can do this.
First, before we turn to anything or anyone, we pour out our hearts to God in honesty and humility. This is important because only God can be trusted with our unfiltered, raw, real emotion. The Bible calls this kind of dialogue lament. And it is a safe and prayerful way to share our feelings while still honoring and trusting God.
Next, we acknowledge God as our Refuge. This means we recognize Him as our ultimate place of safety, the One we run to, not only when life is hard and hurtful, but at all times, in every season, and for every reason.
Even so, trusting God with our hurts doesn't mean we immediately stop hurting. Healing anything, including hurts, is a process that requires time, prayer, patience, honesty, and complete dependence on the Holy Spirit. Yet trusting God does mean we experience His presence, peace, purpose, and hope in the midst of our hurts.
God loves us. And because He does, we can trust Him with all things: the big things, the small things, the frightening things, the unknown things, and yes, even the things that hurt us.
So perhaps today, consider any hurts you may be carrying on your own. Then talk to God honestly about your feelings, choose to trust Him with your pain, and acknowledge Him as the safe place you can always turn to.
Pray
Father God, You are so kind and good. You care about everything, including the heartaches and hurts of life. Thank You for the gracious invitation to bring my hurts to You instead of carrying them on my own. Teach me to pour out my heart to You honestly, knowing that You love me, know me, and care deeply about everything that concerns me. You are faithful, and I am grateful. Amen.
Reflect
What hurt or disappointment is God inviting you to trust Him with today?
My friends, your thoughts matter! I’d love to hear from you. Consider sharing your responses in the comment section below!