“Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed.” Isaiah 53:4-5 (ESV)

The past month had all the makings of a happy season, at least on the surface. My elderly mother found a new place to live — a safe place where she’d make new friends and have access to services she needs.

Mom was excited about her new beginning, and yet at times I had a slight heaviness in my heart that I couldn’t quite put my finger on. Have you, too, experienced sadness or sorrow, and you honestly don’t know why?

As we were carrying yet another box into Mom’s new apartment, my sister stopped me in the hall. “I’ve been having a hard time. Mom’s house is my last connection to Dad,” she revealed.

So that’s what it was.

Our family lost our dad to cancer over 20 years ago. Yet as we sorted and packed Mom’s home, donating Dad’s belongings had dredged up new feelings of sorrow that I hadn’t even spotted.

Thankfully, my sister pointed this out, helping me identify the source of my sadness. She shared that a past counselor taught her to slow down, ask herself what she was feeling and try to identify the source of those feelings.

Sometimes, on our own, we just don’t know why we feel what we feel. Our body says we’re sad, and we don’t know why. At those times, we may be blessed to have a sibling, a spouse or a sister in the body of Christ who can help us identify the source. We may choose to see a counselor who can help us to go deeper in spotting the roots of our pain. Most of all, we can look to the Holy Spirit within us and ask Him to reveal where we need Him to come with Jesus’ healing.

In Isaiah 53, Isaiah prophesies of the Christ who would come, and did come, for our healing.

Isaiah 53:3a describes how Jesus was “despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain” (NIV). While Jesus was on the earth as a human, He experienced the same sufferings we suffer. He was well acquainted with affliction, even the pain of grieving.

As I readied Mom for her move, I thought I was simply fulfilling a responsibility. But my heart and my soul were taking me back in time, remembering. I didn’t recognize grief as it waltzed back into my heart.

Though I was initially unable to pinpoint the source of my sorrow, my body remembered. The tools in Dad’s shed, a random shirt in a dresser drawer, his pencil holder from his desk — each created a connection I wasn’t paying attention to. The pain I was feeling meant there was more healing needed.

Jesus died for this grief as well as all types of sorrows. Isaiah 53:4-5 goes on to tell us: “Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows … he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed.”

Jesus suffered for the forgiveness of our sins, and He suffered so that we could be whole. It is His desire for us to be healed from our sorrows. He wants us to experience “life, and have it in its fullest” (John 10:10b, CEV).

While there may be parts of our lives that we don’t fully understand, Jesus understands us fully and wants to heal and restore us completely. Whether our pain is something from days long gone or a fresh wound that happened yesterday, He is ready to bring peace and healing to our minds and our souls.

Jesus, I don’t even know the source of some of my sorrows, but You do. You knew me even as I was being formed. Come with Your healing. Restore my heart, soul and mind that I might fully experience the life You desire for me. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

OUR FAVORITE THINGS

Whatever life season you find yourself in, whether you are single, married, a mom or a student, it can be easy to feel like you have to figure out this Christian life alone. That’s why The Proverbs 31 Ministries Podcast shares biblical Truth for any girl in any season. Featuring episodes on leadership, spiritual growth, navigating hard seasons, theology and more, the podcast is a space for you to learn from people who have been there. Don't miss an episode — subscribe to the show on Apple, Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts.

We are never too young or too old for Jesus to begin healing us with His love. Loved & Cherished: 100 Devotions for Girls by Lynn Cowell and co-author Michelle Nietert, written for girls ages 8-12, builds a foundation for this truth in the life of a girl. Get your girl a copy here.

ENGAGE

Lynn and her co-author, professional counselor Michelle Nietert, have created a handout to help you move forward in healing. Get “Healing Steps for Your Hurting Heart” by clicking here.

FOR DEEPER STUDY

Psalm 103:2-4, “Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy …” (ESV)

In Psalm 103:2-4, David says God is the One who heals us, redeems us, and crowns us with love and mercy. In which of these three ways do you need Jesus to do a deeper work in your life today: healing, redeeming, or revealing to you the depth of His love and mercy? Pray and ask Him to begin this work in your heart and mind today. And share with us in the comments!

© 2021 by Lynn Cowell. All rights reserved.