“I will be glad and rejoice in thy mercy: for thou hast considered my trouble; thou hast known my soul in adversities;” (Psalm 31:7)
Physical pain is a warning sign that something is wrong with our body. The pain is screaming out for attention as though it is saying: “You have a problem, and you need to do something about it!”
Likewise, when we have pain in our soul (our innermost being), it is a warning sign that something is wrong. The following problems can cause our soul to cry out in pain.
- Sin in our life.
- Lukewarmness towards spiritual matters
- Resistance to God’s will
- Selfishness
- Emptiness within our soul
- Confusion
- An angry spirit
- A great and heavy trial
- Loneliness, etc.
Like our physical pain, we can tell others about the pain, but they don’t really understand. The Lord God alone can feel the pain of our soul. He alone can diagnose the pain of our soul. Psalm 31:7 says: “Thou hast known my soul in adversities.” God knows our pain. He knows when our soul is crying out in distress. God wants us to pour out our heart to Him as we share the pain of our soul.
Not only does God know the pain of our soul, but He diagnoses the source of this pain for us. How is this accomplished? Hebrews 4:12 says: “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”
When we read and study the Word of God, God uses it to penetrate the deepest part of our soul. An x-ray machine shows what is under our skin. The Word of God shows what is in our soul. It shows our sins, fears, doubts, sorrows, pain, hurts, anger, bitterness and many other trials and diseases of our soul.
The Word not only shows us the trials and diseases of our soul, but it also shows us the cure for our soul. Are we experiencing the following ailments of the soul? Have we tried God’s remedy for each ailment?
- Sin? Confess our sin to God. (1 John 1:9)
- A deep trial? Depend upon His grace (2 Corinthians 12:9)
- An angry spirit? Yield all of our rights to God. (Matthew 5:5)
- An overwhelming burden? Cast our care upon Him. (1 Peter 5:7)
- Loneliness? Remember the presence of God. (Hebrews 13:5)
- Bitterness? Forgive in our heart the offending party as Christ has forgiven us. (Ephesians 4:32)
- Fear? Lean upon God’s perfect love because love casts out fear. (1 John 4:18)
- Lukewarmness? Take time to enjoy deep communion with the Lord.(Revelation 3:20)
- Confusion? Allow the Lord to direct our way. (Psalm 32:8)
- Sorrow? Find joy in Jesus. (Psalm 30:5)
The Lord knows us inside and out. He knows our heart. When our soul is in distress, we know that he will hear our cry. He gives us answers for the distress of our soul. The pain in our soul is God showing us our need for Him in a certain area of our life. He is ready to apply His cure to our aching soul.
“Dear Lord, my soul often experiences pain. My words, actions, and attitudes cause much of the pain in my soul. Other people can also create some pain in my soul. Regardless of the cause, please show me the source of the pain in my soul and its cure. I thank you that you are the Great Physician who heals all the diseases and troubles of my soul. Amen”
Bible Treasures for Today 