By Tracy Johnson
”My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart, my portion forever. But as for me, God’s presence is my good. I have made the LORD GOD my refuge, so I can tell about all you do.“
Psalm 73:26, 28 CSB
“Refuse to be average. Let your heart soar as high as it will”
A.W. Tozer
Healing the Hurting Heart
“Refuse to be average. Let your heart soar as high as it will.” This quote by A.W. Tozer has fueled me for many years. It has kept me grounded, given me perspective, and guided me directly to my Source of Hope.
Now, that was a good start—but if I’m honest with you, I struggle at times to believe that statement.
Today I ask myself: Why is this? Why do I struggle at times to believe that my heart can soar? I can remember so many days when my heart was grounded by the hurt it had endured throughout the years. I’m not sure if you can relate, but I have an unhealthy relationship with hurt! Let me explain.
An unhealthy relationship with hurt is where you place God second and your feelings first. (It’s my personal definition, just in case you look it up.)
After many years of not processing the core reason for my heart-grounding hurt, I’ve found this truth: “The more I refuse to discover the reason for my hurt, the more my unhealthy relationship grows.” There are things I experienced as a child that I kept hidden deep within. For a long time, revisiting the hurt was non-negotiable because I felt as though my heart didn’t have the capacity to soar. It seemed easier to try to forget and become superwoman on the outside. But inside, for years, I was in crisis screaming for help! This revelation hit me hard—very hard! This way of thinking kept me from experiencing victory over the pain and hurt of my past. My health was affected, my family was affected, my friendships were affected, and most of all my faith was affected.
Yes, we are going to hurt!
Yes, we are going to have trials!
Yes, the grief rips at your heart!
Yes, you may feel depleted and empty!
But don’t stay there. Let’s soar to new heights!
Today is our tomorrow! What we choose from this day forth changes the trajectory of our lives. It’s a new day! Let your heart soar!
“My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart, my portion forever. But as for me, God’s presence is my good. I have made the LORD GOD my refuge, so I can tell about all you do.”
Psalms 73:26, 28 CSB
If you can relate, grow to recognize your unhealthy patterns with hurt. Ask yourself some hard questions: Who or what has hurt you? What event or story have you buried within? I’m not saying to go back and dig up old memories, but what I am saying (from experience) is to heal the hurt within because God wants us whole!
“Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely. And may your whole spirit, soul, and body be kept sound and blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful; he will do it.”
1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 CSB
Love you 💜