Facing the Storm to Find Your Healing
A Buffalo’s Response to the Storm
When buffalo see a storm brewing on the horizon, they do something quite odd; an act contrary to the response of most creation.
When dark clouds roll over the mountains and make their way across the plains, a majority of animals begin heading in the opposite direction. They run from the storm coming for them, but inevitably, the storm catches up. Those animals, now in the storm and still heading in the same direction, end up spending much longer under those ominous clouds than they needed to.
Buffalo, on the other hand, begin to run right into the storm. By doing so, they actually spend less time being hounded by the wind and rain.
Don’t we often find ourselves in the company of those species that try to run away from the storm? We try to put distance between ourselves and the hardship, but it always catches up. In the meantime, we end being pelted by the storm longer because there’s just no outrunning the inevitable.
Healing for the Incurable Wound
A valuable lesson in life to learn: face the storm. This brave act, with a hint of fear coursing through your veins, is the only way to truly find healing. For even the deepest of pain, complete healing is possible. God promises it in Jeremiah 30.
Verse 12,
“For this is what the Lord says: Your injury is incurable; your wound most severe.”
Right about now you’re saying, “Brittany, I thought you said healing was possible?”
Friend, it is. The story isn’t over; let’s keep reading in verse 17,
“But I will bring you health and will heal you of your wounds—this is the Lord’s declaration.”
What was incurable in verse 12 found healing in verse 17. In this beautiful account of the healing of Zion’s wounds, God gives a promise for the pain. A promise of restoration.
Those cutting words served up to you from a trusted friend; the betrayal of a ministry leader you work with; the loss of a loved one; the silence in your dark night of the soul; they all find healing in one place: God. That’s the difference between the incurable and curable—it’s the source of the healing.
I learned this lesson the hard way after a painful breakup in my twenties. I prayed many months for the slightest relief from the pain, all the while praying out of the other side of my mouth that God would just make it all go away as quickly as possible.
I got weary and for a period of time, I sadly tried the world’s definition of healing by dating men I knew weren’t Christians. I also got drunk one night and texted my ex something entirely embarrassing. I even contemplated suicide a few times. It wasn’t pretty and I’m not proud of that time. But that’s where running from the pain led me—to destruction.
Finally, after trying all the wrong things, I broke before the Lord and truly turned my healing over to God. I stopped praying me-centered prayers of “God, make it all go away” to God-centered prayers that declared “God, as long as it takes, I’ll face whatever you put before me to find true healing in you.”
And that beautiful healing I prayed for began to take place in His hands.
This lesson I still forget at times and have to remind myself to lean into when hurt rips at my soul. I’ve had to remind myself to run towards those storm clouds after losing my child. When I faced a ministry betrayal that cut at the core of my being. And in the utter shock of my husband questioning his faith.
How do you turn the pain over to a gracious God; how do you face the unlovely storm before you to find restoration?
Finding Emotional Healing
First, change your prayer language, as I did. Stop focusing on the quickest way out and start looking towards the storm clouds within. Ask God to truly help you, no matter how long it takes, to find the genuine healing you seek.
Second, turn to Romans 12—the declaration of Christian ethics and living—as a guide to your journey.
Rejoice in hope. Recognize that Christ will return, and celebrate the eternity with Him that’s before you. It’s rough now, but it’s only temporary compared to the everlasting condition of your soul.
Be patient in affliction. Suffering is hard, and it will be part of your journey. God is looking for the faithful who will look at the storm and remain steadfast in it.
Be persistent in prayer. Prayer changes things. Be like the persistent widow you would not stop coming to the judge until her request was granted.
Third, keep Hebrews 10:35-36 close to your heart.
“So do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord. Remember the great reward it brings you! Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that he has promised.”
This verse has kept me going in my hardest moments and I believe it can do the same for you. When it gets tough and the storm seems too powerful to endure, hold on to your confident trust in the Lord and continue to follow His will.
Friend, there is a clearing on the other side of this storm; a light piercing through the darkness. His name is Jesus and with His victory taking your side, hope is just on the horizon. So, turn towards the storm—your pain, that betrayal, the hope deferred—and head in with sweet Jesus by your side.