Dear
Friends,
I
opened my computer this morning and read a message I thought worth sharing with
you. It is by Pastor Rick Warren who provides some thoughtful insights on how
to address those tough times that inevitably will show up one day on our
doorstep. I hope it ministers to you as much as it did me.
Pastor
Rick writes, “Everyone gets wounded at one time or another.
Sometimes
it’s physical. Other times, it’s emotional, spiritual, or relational. And if
you’re not experiencing a wound right now, one is probably on the horizon.
So
how do you respond when life hurts? You worship.
That
may seem counterintuitive. But worship is the only antidote to pain that brings
both healing and hope.
Job
is one of the best examples in the Bible of how to worship when you’re hurting.
In a single day, he lost everything—his wealth, his health, and even his
children. The book of Job tells the story of a man deeply wounded but
ultimately unshaken in his devotion to God.
Here
are five ways to worship when you’re wounded:
1. Grieve: Tell God how you feel.
Worship
doesn’t always start with a smile; it often begins with tears.
Job
didn’t hold back: “Job stood up, tore his robe in grief, and shaved his
head. Then he fell to the ground and worshiped” (Job 1:20 GW).
In
the ancient Middle East, people expressed grief by tearing their clothes. God
isn’t afraid of your raw emotions. In fact, he welcomes them. When you pour out
your hurt, you’re not being unspiritual—you’re worshiping.
Don’t
bottle up your pain. God didn’t design your body to store negative emotions.
Let them out. Confess them to God. He can handle your honesty.
2. Praise God—not for your problems, but
in the midst of them.
Job’s
story boils down to one question: Will I worship God when everything
goes wrong?
It’s
easy to praise God when life is good. But what about when it’s not? That’s the
real test of faith.
Life
is rarely all good or all bad. It’s more like two parallel tracks—one of joy
and one of sorrow—running side by side. Even in our darkest moments, there’s
still something to thank God for. Job chose to praise God in the middle of his
suffering. You can, too.
3. Ask God for wisdom and strength.
Pain
makes it hard to think clearly. Wounds distort our perspective. That’s why we
need God’s help to see straight and stay strong.
The
Message paraphrase says, “True wisdom and real power belong to God;
from him we learn how to live, and also what to live for” (Job 12:13).
Wisdom
gives you direction. Strength gives you endurance. Both come from God. The Bible
promises, “The LORD saves good people; he is their strength in times of
trouble” (Psalm 37:39 NCV).
God
may not remove your pain, but he will supply what you need to keep going.
4. Gather with others for support.
God
didn’t create you to worship alone—especially when you’re hurting.
The
natural tendency when we’re wounded is to withdraw. We isolate. We put up
walls. We hide. That might feel safer, but it only prolongs the pain.
If
you never learn how to share your pain, you’ll never heal.
That’s
why pastors need small groups, too. You need people in your corner who will
walk with you through the valleys, not just celebrate with you on the
mountaintops.
Don’t
wait until the crisis to build those relationships. Find a group where you can
be real, be known, and be supported.
5. Keep going.
Perseverance
is a form of worship.
Job’s
wife told him to curse God and die. But Job refused. Instead, he said, “Though
he [God] slay me, yet will I trust him” (Job 13:15 KJV).
That’s
radical faith. That’s worship in its truest form.
What
gave Job that kind of confidence? He knew his Redeemer lived: “I know
that my redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand on the earth” (Job
19:25 NIV).
Whatever
you’re going through, it won’t last forever. Eternity is coming. Your Redeemer
is alive. And one day, he will make all things new.
Don’t,
don’t let your pain rob you of worship. Don’t let it derail your ministry.”
Yours
in faith and friendship,
Tom
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