"Let Go of Your Pain"

INTRODUCTION

Image – “pain” story

Need

Pain is a reality of living life in a broken world wrecked by sin. None of us escape pain in our sojourn through life. This past week a community in California is wrought with pain after a gunman killed 13 people in at a local bar. Pray for those families as they feel the pain of loss due to this terrible tragedy. Pain is a reality that we face on a daily basis, we can’t completely escape the pain of life, and yet we try to manage the pain, numb the pain, or ignore the pain. The pain we experience in life has many different forms.

We experience physical pain—stepping on a Lego barefoot, slamming our finger in a car door, burnt from a curling iron, stung by a bee, roll your ankle, a broken rib, a severe burn (Paul & Joe), acute back pain, or the pain of an open wound that throbs and is sensitive to the touch, or the pain of childbirth—and when hospitalized we get to rate our pain on a scale from 1-10. Pain can be something that ends but for some it’s a daily reality (chronic pain). Sometimes our body just hurts!

We experience mental pain—more than just a headache I’m referring to the psychological anguish we can experience as human beings.

We experience emotional pain—sometimes our heart (soul) just hurts—as we endure the deep inner pain of being made fun of, being betrayed by a close friend who is no longer friend, the pain of divorce, the pain of emotional abuse, the pain of disappointment, the pain of loneliness, the pain of rejection, the pain of from regret, the pain of guilt, the pain of failure, and the pain of death. Some of our pain is self-inflicted and some of our pain is inflicted upon us by others.

Today is week two of our series LET IT GO. Life is filled with various burdens that weigh us down that keep us from experiencing the abundant life offered to us in Jesus. (BACKPACK) We can set free from these burdens that weigh us down through our life in Christ. Last week we considered “letting go of our worry” that weighs us down. Jesus taught that worry is unnecessary, unsuitable, and unprofitable for life in His kingdom so we can lay it down by trusting in God and praying grateful prayers.

Today we turn our attention to “letting go of our pain.” More specifically “letting go” of the emotional pain we experience and endure in life. All of us have emotional wounds that hurt. The emotional pain we feel can weigh us down (BACKPACK)—it too can become a wearisome burden that we carry around in life—we can consciously or unconsciously hold onto our pain and this can cause bitterness, strained relationships, anger, self-loathing, and despair. If we had time and full transparency from every person, we could pass the mic around the room and hear story after story of the pain emotional pain you’ve endured in the past or that you’re experiencing right now. I know that in some sense everyone in this room has experienced a “broken heart”—not limited to a romantic relationship that has ended—but rather the deep, crushing pain in your inner being caused by a person or a circumstance of life. I’m had my own share of emotional pain but I know for a fact that I haven’t experienced the depth of pain that some of you have endured in your life. Some of you have experienced and endure the depth of pain that could be described as “hell on earth.” All too often we’re tempted to “hold on” to our pain or think we’re strong enough to carry our pain but it’s burden that weighs down our soul and keeps us from enjoying the abundant life we have in Jesus.

Preview

If you have your Bible, and I hope you do, please turn to the book of Psalms. Psalms is located in the OT—almost in the middle of your Bible—and it’s after Job and before Proverbs. The book of Psalms is a collections of ancient Hebrew “songs” that contain the depth of human emotion. If you want to get a glimpse of the full range of human emotions—from the depths of despair to the pinnacle of praise—Psalms is a great book to read and pray. I love that God’s Word gives us the full range and depths of human emotion. We can relate to the book of Psalms. This morning we’re going to spend some time in the book of Psalms where we see the reality of pain and the greatness of God in the mist of our pain.

LET GO OF YOUR PAIN

Today the thought of “letting go” of your pain might sound unrealistic—perhaps you’re thinking you just make the pain stop—easy-peasy, right? We all know it’s not that simple. We can’t just make our pain go away. The call to “let go” of you pain is not about your ability to make your pain. We are not God – we can’t make that happen. We can’t make our pain go away. And yet some people hold onto to their pain – they resist and refuse to “let go” pain inflicted upon them – they can’t move past it and seek healing because they want to hold it against the person who hurt them. For some, they want to “let go” of their pain but they don’t know if and how it’s possible. Today is not about simple solutions, easy answers, or a magical 1-2-3 formula for letting go of your pain. Today is not a “how” to let go of your pain sermon. And yet we can be set free from the pain that weighs us down—it can be “released” or “let go” of—but this is less about “what” we do (six steps to letting go of your pain) and more about our great God who makes it possible for us “let go” of our pain. We’re going to look at two powerful truths about God from the Psalms that highlight He is the One who makes it possible for us to “let go” of our pain.

A) The Lord helps us when we are in pain ()

Take your bible and turn to . . is a song of thanksgiving. It’s a psalm of David that perhaps was used as a communion hymn in the early church. King David pens this psalm to thank God for His deliverance from Saul. King Saul was out to kill David. David fled from Saul and sought refuge with a Philistine king but the Philistine King soon realized that having David in custody might be a benefit to him and David began to fear for his life. David needed to escape so he pretended to be insane and was able to get out of the near hostage situation. It might have been tempting at first for David to believe that he was responsible for getting himself out of the situation but after further reflection David recognized that it was God who had delivered him. David doesn’t take credit for the escape but praises God for His deliverance. The Psalm is divided into two main sections. The first half reveals what God had done for David. The second half reveals what God does for others. Tucked away in the second half of this psalm we discover a profound truth that will enable us to “let go of our pain.” () Let’s read it together.

“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. [1]”

reveals there is help for us when we encounter and endure pain. David reminded the people of God (OT) that Yahweh is the One who can help us when the pain of life weighs us down. Our help is found in the Lord. King David use the most personal name for God throughout this psalm—Yahweh translated “Lord”—signifying that in the midst of our pain God is not aloof but very personal. The Lord’s help is highlighted by two statements.

1) God is near when we are in our pain (34:18a)

First the Lord is present when we are in pain. King David declared “the Lord is close to the brokenhearted” (34:18a). Yahweh is not disinterested or distant—the Lord is “close” to the brokenhearted”—the “brokenhearted” are those who have experienced the pain affliction. The “brokenhearted” describe someone whose “soul” (inner being) feels like it has been smashed into little pieces (smithereens), literally crushed or fractured within. In the depths of that kind of pain, the Lord is near—the kind of closeness represented in a family.

· J. A. Motyer (NBC) - a ‘next-of-kin’ relationship, not just being near at hand but actively making our woes his own

For some reason we get the idea that when we are experiencing the depths of pain/hurt that God is distant, that He has left us, abandoned us, forsaken us. We question if he is not present. That’s why our faith is not driven by our feelings (believing in HIs promises). Take great comfort in the truth—God is close, He is literally approaching those with a broken heart, He is near. The Lord isn’t aloof. The Lord isn’t away. The Lord isn’t disinterested. The Lord isn’t distant. The Lord is “close” when you experience pain.

2) God delivers us when we are in pain (34:18b)

Secondly, “The Lord can deliver us when we are in (34:18b). The Lord is not only “close to the brokenhearted” He also “saves those who are crushed in spirit.” Yahweh saves anyone who is “crushed in spirit”—the phrase can mean “contrite” in heart but in context it denotes a “depressed” or “discouraged” spirit. We are not always saved from experiencing pain—we are not guaranteed to be shielded from suffering—but when we experience a broken heart and a crushed spirit the Lord can deliver us. When we experience pain that crushes our spirit, we cannot save ourselves, the Lord is the One who saves. We look to the Lord to save us!

APPLICATION

What pain is breaking your heart today? What pain is crushing your spirit? What pain is weighing you down this morning?

· Betrayal?

· Rejection?

· Regret?

· Hurtful words?

You don’t have to carry the pain. Your past and present pain can be “let go” because the Lord is your helper! The Lord is your ally and advocate—He is near—He wants to meet you and draw you close to Himself. The Lord can save you. Yahweh is your deliverer. He is your salvation. You can let go of your hurt because the Lord is your helper.

You don’t have to carry the pain. Stop trying to cope with the pain through temporary substitutes (alcohol, pornography, food, or shopping). Stop trying to save yourself. Let go of your pain. Cry out to Him—He hears you—and He is an ever- present help in your time of need (). The Lord is your helper, He is near, and He saves you when you’re brokenhearted and your soul’s crushed by the weight of pain.

B) The Lord heals our pain ()

Let’s consider a second reason we can “let go of our pain” this morning. Turn to . . is a literally a song of praise. It is a hymn of celebration for God’s restoration. The Psalm celebrates God’s restoration of the exiles back to Jerusalem probably during the time of Nehemiah. God had judged Israel (His people) for the unfaithfulness and sin by sending them to exile in Babylon. This psalm was penned in response to God’s faithfulness to restore His people back to their land. The Psalm begins with a call to praise and is followed with several reasons “why” God is to be praised. In the opening lines of this Psalm we find another incredible truth that will help us “let go of our pain.” () Let’s read it together.

The people of God living in exile certainly experienced a great deal of pain—the pain of their rebellion against God, the pain of being taken from their homeland, the pain of not being able to worship in Jerusalem, and the pain of wondering if they would every get back home. Hurt flooded their hearts.

1) A Call to Praise (147:1)

The psalm opens with a call to praise. The psalm literally begins “Hallelujah” which means “praise the Lord.” The psalm beckons the people of God to “praise” Yahweh! The psalm reveals that praising the Lord is good, pleasant, and befitting of our lives.

· Singing praise to our God is good (147:1b) - The psalmist declares that singing praise to God is good—it is good when the people of God literally make music of praise” to our God—it is right and decent to lift our voices in praise to our God. We do this every week as a church family and it’s good!

· Praising our God is pleasant (147:1c) - When we praise our God it is pleasant—our praise lifted up to God sweet & lovely—our praise is a beautiful act.

· Praising God is fitting (147:1d) - Thirdly, praising our God is fitting—praise is an appropriate response to God from the people of God—praise suits us and it suits God because of who He is and what He has done for us.

2) God’s Care for Us (147:2-3)

The psalmist’s “Call to Praise” is followed by a portrait of “God’s Care for His People.” We find two declarations that reveal God’s care for us.

· The Lord restores His people (147:2)

In highlights “The Lord’s restoration of His people.” The restoring work is highlighted by two acts: the rebuilding of the city of Jerusalem and the regathering of His people from exile. The psalmist declared “The Lord builds up Jerusalem.” At this point in history the city of Jerusalem had been in shambles because of invasion and exile. God would use Nehemiah to “rebuild” the walls of city. Secondly, “The Lord would gather the exiles of Israel.” The people of God who had been taken captive from their homeland would be brought back to the city. In the OT context this referred to the people of Israel when they were being brought back from exile. God’s care for the Jews reveals that our God is a God of restoration! God can restore our lives when it’s being weighed down by pain. Jesus is going to return one day to restore all things. Listen to the great hope of restoration from Revelations 21:1-4. (Read ). Jesus’ return will bring about full restoration of all things broken by the fall – there will be no more broken hearts – for in the kingdom to come death, morning, crying, and pain will no longer exist. What a glorious hope we have in Jesus! We will continue to experience “pain” during our sojourn and yet we can be set free from the pain that weighs us down.

· The Lord heals His people (147:3)

Full restoration and relief from pain will come one day but until that day letting go of our pain is still possible “The Lord heals his people.” Look at this wonderful truth highlighted in —“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds” (127:3)—The Lord can heal us when we experience pain. Living in exile was an incredible painful time for the people of Israel. Living life in a fallen world can be incredibly painful for us. The psalmist reveals the Lord’s healing of the broken-hearted—the word “heals” is the Hebrew word “rapha” which speaks of His ability to restore and repair to a preferable state—the Lord is the One who can heal our broken hearts. The Lord can heal the brokenhearted. The Lord also “binds up our wounds”—this denotes the “wrapping” of physical wound but in the immediate context it highlights His “wrapping” of our wounded (broken) hearts—and so the Lord is depicted as a caring physician. The One who hung the stars in the sky is the One who has the power to heal your broken heart (147:3-4). The Prophet Isaiah revealed that the Messiah would be the One to come and heal wounded hearts.

· – “The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted[2]”

Jesus is the Messiah—He is the One who was anointed to preach the good news to the poor and sent to “bind up the brokenhearted”—Jesus can heal your pain. Jesus is the “Suffering Servant”—He experienced great physical, mental, and emotional pain for us—and He endured such pain in order to heal our pain.

· – “During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the one who could save Him from death.”

· – “3He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. 4Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted. 5But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed. [3]”

Jesus’ pain is truly our gain. Jesus endured the excruciating physical, mental, and emotional pain of death by crucifixion—His suffering bought our salvation from sin and death—and the hope of the gospel reveals that through His pain we can experience His healing of our pain. Jesus is the One who makes it possible for us to “let go” of our pain because He is the One who can heal our wounded hearts.

APPLICATION

You don’t have to carry the pain that’s weighing you down this morning. The Lord is your helper and healer! Whatever pain you’re carrying can be healed by our gracious and compassionate God. What pain to you need to “let go” and “lay” at His feet for healing today?

· Betrayal?

· Depression?

· Grief?

· Loneliness?

· Rejection?

· Loss?

You can “let go” of our pain by laying it at His feet to find His healing touch upon our hearts. Cast your cares upon Him because He cares for you (). The Lord is ready to bandage up your broken-heart. You can let go of your hurt because Yahweh is ready to bandage you up. You don’t have to hold onto the pain, you don’t have to live with a broken-heart because Yahweh is reader to help and heal our hurts.

Make an appointment with the great “physician of your soul” today. Stop trying to hide the pain. Stop trying to ignore the pain. Stop trying to be a tough guy who shows no sign of pain. Stop trying to numb the pain. Your only hope is found in Jesus your help and healer. Letting go of your pain is bringing it to Him to find His healing touch. Maybe you’ve never done that in your life. Would you do it today? Would you “let go of your pain’ – laying it at His feet – and asking Him for His healing touch on your heart.

CONCLUSION

Image –

Need

All of us experience and endure pain – we are not promised exemption from pain as Christians – for Jesus said “In this world you will have trouble but take heart! I have overcome the world” (). I suspect that “pain” is a part of the trouble we’re going to face but we can rejoice because Jesus has overcome the world. He is our helper and in Him there is healing for the broken-hearts.

Restate -

The Lord is our helper—He is near when we are in pain and can deliver us when we are in pain. Cry out to Him to help you.

The Lord is our healer – Our God restores and heals us when we experience pain. Let go of your pain – lay it at His feet and ask Him to heal your heart.

PRAY

[1] The Holy Bible: New International Version (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1984), .

[2] The Holy Bible: New International Version (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1984), .

[3] The Holy Bible: New International Version (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1984), .