Permission to Feel

"In the day of my trouble I will call on you, for you will answer me."

- Psalm 86:7:

Acknowledge

In recovery programs, counseling, and even in salvation, the first step is to realize that there is a problem so that you can then receive or walk out the solution. Awareness is one of God’s mercies to mankind. He gave the law so that we could see that we were far from God and needed a savior (Romans 5:20, 7:14-25). In our healing and deliverance journey, the first step is to acknowledge what we are feeling, what we have experienced, and our current state. Only then will we realize what we truly need from God and ask Him for it. He continues to emphasize throughout scripture that He is there for us, not only so that we acknowledge that He is an omniscient, omnipotent, omnipresent God, but so that we take advantage of it. He lets us know that He is a Healer and Deliverer so that we will come to Him for healing and deliverance.

"For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin."

Hebrews 4:15 

Feel

Those in the Christian faith can be tempted to suppress or ignore their emotional or mental distress because they know the God who heals, delivers, and comforts. But knowing a God who has solutions and answers to it all does not negate the fact that we experience hard things and struggles in this life. God’s word lets us know that Jesus is not ignorant of or apathetic about our struggles, hurts, or weaknesses, but has had a front-row seat to experiencing it all while He walked this earth. Jesus acknowledges that life on earth is hard and that we do need help, so he came to help us with our burdens (Matthew 11:28-30). He doesn’t tell us to pretend that they are not there.

"Trust in Him at all times, you people; Pour out your hearts before Him; God is a refuge for us.”

– Psalm 62:8

Release

Jesus came down to experience the plights, stresses, and temptations of this world. So that He could help us in our times of need. Hebrews 2:18: "Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted." Many times, as Christians, we rush past our emotions or try to cover up our weaknesses because of the false expectation that, since we know Christ, we should not struggle. However, God said He walks with us through the shadows and comforts us and prepares a table before the presence of our enemies (Psalm 23), and He empowers us to overcome the struggle (John 16:33), not that there would be no shadows, struggles, or temptations (1 Corinthians 10:13).

Jesus experienced grief (John 11:33-35), was weary and exhausted (John 4:6), was tempted (Luke 4:2), and had a time of deep agony and sorrow (Matthew 26:38-39). Jesus experienced all these things and showed us how to withstand and make it through it all, trusting in the wise plan and miraculous provision of God, by obediently bearing the cross (Matthew 23:39 and Romans 8:28-30), utilizing the fortifying and keeping strength of His Word, when tempted (Matthew 4:1-11 and 2 Timothy 3:16-17), and taking refuge under the shadows of God Almighty’s wings during His time of anguish, and He committed His Spirit into His hands (Luke 23:46, Psalm 91:1-6, and Psalm 31:5).

“Behold, God is my salvation, I will trust and not be afraid; For the Lord God is my strength and song, And He has become my salvation.”

-Isaiah 12:2

Rely

God wants us to be aware of who we are and what we are dealing with because He wants to minister to us where we are and not where we think we should be. God cares about every part of us. And He is not ashamed of our emotions, nor does He look down on us because we struggle. Instead, He cares and is moved with compassion, wanting us to bring them to Him so that He can comfort, guide, strengthen, help, and heal.

Prayer:

Father God, thank You for loving us and seeing us. We are grateful that You know us better than we know ourselves. We ask that You help us to see ourselves the way You see us. Help us to begin to desire and receive the healing, growth, deliverance, and abundant life that You want for us. Let us no longer come to You holding back, but rather offering vulnerability and trust that yield to and rely on Your love, comfort, strength, wisdom, and instruction. Father, forgive us the things we have done and the things we have harbored in our hearts that have caused hurt, disappointment, or dishonor to You, ourselves, and others. We repent of those things and receive healing and deliverance. We also submit the transgressions of others that have caused us wounds, losses, emotional turmoil, and struggle, asking for help to forgive them and embracing the restoration, comfort, and guidance You offer in Jesus’ name, Amen.

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