When our lives take a sharp detour from our plans or expectations, often we succumb to emotional responses. Sadness causes us to wait passively, and anger makes us react with hostility. We stagnate, wondering, “What happens now?” Lingering sadness and uncontrolled anger incapacitate our ability to reason, quickly sinking us into despair and often resulting in hatred toward others, ourselves, and God.
It is challenging to control sadness and anger. When we are driven by our emotions, we rapidly lose altitude, and like a drone without a guiding signal, we crash. Prolonged emotional responses are like weeds in a garden of prized roses. How do we keep ourselves from falling into the abyss of hopelessness when our dreams are shattered?
Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. (Matthew 5:4 RSV)
God has promised to provide us happiness out of sorrow. God has promised, “to make us whole.” Yet, many are unaware of God’s healing power of restoration due to a lack of knowledge. “Jesus answered, ‘You are mistaken because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God.'” (Matthew 22:29). The Bible was written for humanity, teaching us about God, His character, and promises. Unless we study the Scriptures, we cannot have spiritual growth, healing, and restoration from our trials and sorrows of life.
In 2 Kings, chapter 20, we read the story of God’s grace and mercy toward King Hezekiah, who received God’s message from Isaiah to prepare for his pending death. But the King prayed, “Remember now, Lord, I pray, how I have walked before You in truth and with a loyal heart, and have done what was good in Your sight. And Hezekiah wept bitterly.” (2 Kings 2o:3). Although God does not promise everyone an extension of life, He does promise complete healing and resolution to the vicissitudes of life that make us weep bitterly.
God’s response to King Hezekiah: “Return and tell Hezekiah the leader of My people, Thus says the Lord, the God of David your father: I have heard your prayer, I have seen your tears; surely I will heal you…” (2 Kings 20:5).
When we experience what seems like a deadly blow and are in distress, what happens next? God requires action from us first. We immediately seek God in prayer. Through our tears, we pray, “God, I need your help.” Tears provide a healthy release of our sorrow and connect us to our Heavenly Father. Although we were created with emotions to respond to hardships that cause grief, sorrow extends beyond our emotional responses.
What Happens Now? We prepare ourselves with humility and faith for a sometimes lengthy spiritual journey. Let’s identify the roadblocks.
Roadblock: Never ask why? Satan’s deceptive tactic is for us to question God. If you take that option, there is little hope for healing. Our immediate prayer to God acknowledges that we are disappointed and in overwhelming emotional pain. Every day, we ask to be anointed with the Holy Spirit for strength and guidance to move forward.
God is Omniscience–All-Knowing. He knows our lives from beginning to end, yet, God is not intrusive. He waits for us to approach Him for help. “Pray without ceasing.” (1 Thessalonians 5:17).
God will answer your prayer by revealing His perspective first. The tribulations are intentional [read Job chapter 1]. For us to have Christ-like characters, faith, trust, and total dependence on God, we must endure trials, sorrows, and hardships. God is preparing us for a perfect life in the New Heaven and the New Earth. What is God teaching me? What areas in my life require spiritual growth and development?
Human effort: We must accept sorrow. “I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. You will have suffering in this world. Be courageous! I have conquered the world.” (John 16:33 CSB)
God’s Purpose for Sorrow: Spiritual transformation. “…strengthening the souls of the disciples and encouraging them to continue in the faith. “We must endure many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,” they said.” (Acts 14:22). Human effort: #2–Acknowledge that God is in control and He has promised to strengthen you during your journey of healing.
Do You Want to Get Well? Will we Set Up Roadblocks or Move Forward on the Path of New Beginnings?
Roadblock: How we view God determines our outcome. Unbelief in His promises prevents us from receiving Divine help to overcome. Believing that God is love, full of tender compassion, grace, and mercy, always keeping His promises is the only way to receive complete healing in all dimensions of our humanness. God is committed to comforting and faithfully guiding us through our spiritual transformation of restoration.
Roadblock: Are you harboring a spirit of unforgiveness? We must forgive. Was the hardship or sorrow caused by another person(s)? Forgiveness is not an option! “But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” (Matthew 6:15). What if we caused hardship or sorrow? “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9). Do not respond to Satan’s tactics to live your life filled with the darkness of guilt or regret.
Jesus died an excruciating death for our salvation. We do not have to carry the guilt of sinful actions. If possible, ask forgiveness from the people that were hurt. I say, if possible, because, in cases of Domestic Violence, or the other individual’s choice, you may be restricted from all contact. Still, we can pray and ask the Holy Spirit to let them know that we are genuinely remorseful for our former actions.
Restoration–complete healing is never immediate. God requires us to travel on a journey guided by His Divine Intervention and our Human effort of faith, trust, and obedience. How we move forward depends on our willingness to strengthen our relationship with Jesus.
Roadblock: Because we were born in sin, we have two opposing views: carnal and spiritual eyes. “For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate.” (Romans 7:15 ESV).
Human Effort: Even in our state of confusion, we must acquiesce and surrender our heart, soul, and mind to God. One of our most demanding challenges is to push doubt away. Trust God as if He told you to step out of the boat and walk on the water during a rough storm. Faith is the first step toward our healing journey. Let God guide you. Live with expectancy!
Our Restoration is God’s Top Priority! Do you want to be made well?
God’s promise of healing includes every loss that we have experienced. Whether we have a severe illness, lost a loved one, unemployed, experienced tangible losses–house, vehicle, our marriage, or relationships with family and friends, God is so much greater than the sorrows of this life!
Human effort: “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” (Matthew 6:33-34). Much prayer and studying of the scriptures are required to keep going.
“And we know that in all things, God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28).
God tells us to stand still [Exodus 14:14] and wait [Psalm 27:14]. God takes our hurting hearts, and He heals and rebuilds them for His honor and glory. If cars can be refurbished by human hands, can you imagine what our Omnipotent God can do with the broken human heart created in His image?
Human Effort: “Commit everything you do to the LORD. Trust him, and he will help you.” (Psalm 37:5). Give your unknown future to the known God! Through faith, even if it is weak and wavering, we pray daily, “God, let Your will be done in my life.” Trust and obedience to God lifts our hearts’ heaviness, and we receive peace. God promises to heal our grieving, broken hearts and give us new beginnings. And His promises are always, “Yes and Amen.”
Human Effort + Divine Intervention = Victory!
Prayer: God, we need your power to restore our minds and heal our broken hearts. We pray for comfort and strength as we place our faith and trust in you. Please forgive our doubt and trespasses against you and others. We ask this prayer in the Worthy Name of Jesus. Amen. © 2022 Sonya Johnson, Faithful Fishers, and Woman, You Are Loved by God Ministries
Steps 2 Success with Spiritual Solutions 