John 3:20-21 “Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God.”
Not long after our son graduated from college, he was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. The doctors said a virus triggered his once dormant predisposition to the disease.We were shocked to learn he had been living all that time with tendencies toward such a serious condition without knowing it.
I believe the same can be true with issues involving our emotions. We lead fairly normal lives for a number of years, then a crisis of some sort surfaces a wound hidden deep in our souls. The crisis triggers a release of anything from fear and insecurity to depression and anger. The point of pain makes its way to the surface and causes havoc.
It happens to us all in one form or another. Even if we are born-again, Bible-believing followers of Jesus. He allows those hidden areas of hurt to surface at just the right time in order to heal us. And be assured, his desire is not to condemn us, but to see us whole. It reminds me of the Elizabeth Elliott quote: “Religion says: I messed up, my dad is gonna’ kill me. The Gospel says: I messed up, I need to call my dad.”
Jesus came to save. He saves us from eternal condemnation. But he also saves us from everything that hinders us from living like him. From loving like him. From trusting our Heavenly Father like he did. If that means we must endure pain to surface festering wounds of rejection or betrayal, he will allow it. If something within us keeps blocking our trust in God or interferes with forgiving those who hurt us, he will let the fire of the Holy Spirit come with refining power.
So when the Lord allows a crisis to surface unresolved issues in your life, don’t resist the truth. Embrace it. Let the light of the Holy Spirit expose all the hidden darkness and be healed. Let him crush that virus within.