Distress

I know I distressed you greatly with my letter. 

Although I felt awful at the time, 

I don't feel at all bad now that I see how it turned out. 

The letter upset you, but only for a while. 

Now I'm glad — not that you were upset, 

but that you were jarred into turning things around. 

You let the distress bring you to God, 

not drive you from Him. The result was all gain, no loss.

Distress that drives us to God does that. 

It turns us around. It gets us back in the way of salvation. 

We never regret that kind of pain. 

But those who let distress drive them away from God 

are full of regrets, end up on a deathbed of regrets.

2 Corinthians 7:8-9

•

Wounded

I clutched at my pain 

wrapped up in pride 

and ran for the darkness

Arrows launched in self-defense

wounded all around

Pride billowed 

like so much smoke

filling the air

snuffing out light

clarity

freedom

Justification

built up

adding to the fortification

increasing the distance

Deadly anger

dripped its poison

covered by the lies

of a proud heart

Confusion

chaos

whirling thoughts

Where did this begin?

How can it end?

The mere flesh wound

became gaping and deadly

with self treatment.

Only the One 

who had been wounded 

for all

can truly heal.

Regret so deep

gratitude so wide

I bring my wounds

to You, Jesus.

So much has been lost.

 

Please restore.

Please renew.

Please revive.