the message of the arrows
at some point we all face the same decision - what will we do with the arrows we've known? maybe a better way to say it is, what have they tempted us to do? however they come to us, whether through a loss we experienced as abandonment or some deep violation we feel as abuse, their message is always the same: kill your heart. divorce it, neglect it, run from it, or indulge it with some anesthetic (our various addictions). think of how you've handled the affliction that has pierced your own heart. how did the arrows come to you? what did they land? are they still there? what have you done as a result?to say we all face a decision when we're pierced by an arrow is misleading. it makes the process sound so rational, as though we have the option of coolly assessing the situation and choosing a logical response. life isn't like that - the heart cannot be managed in a detached sort of way (certainly not when we are young, when some of the most defining arrows strike). it feels more like an ambush, and our response is at gut level. we may never put words to it. our deepest convictions are formed without conscious effort, but the effect is a shift deep in our soul. commitments form never to be in that position again, never to know that sort of pain again. the result is an approach to life that we often call our personality. if you'll listen carefully to your life, you may begin to see how it has been shaped by the unique arrows you've known and the particular convictions you've embraced as a result. the arrows also taint and partially direct even our spiritual life.
~the sacred romance
this is where i am...having to face some "arrows" in my life. choosing how to assess those "pains" and how i will let them effect me. will i leave the arrows where they land, allowing them to alter my life, personality, and decisions or take the time to painstakingly treat them and give them reasonable time to heal correctly? most of the arrows' initial damage cannot be helped, but how you choose to allow the wound to heal is another story.
please say a little prayer that i will identify the arrows and deal with the wound correctly.
posted by no_average_girl at 8:30 PM
11 Comments:
...and taking up the shield of faith, wherewith you may quench the flaming arrows of the evil one...
Eph 6 - something. Don't remember exactly which verse.
Praying for you right this minute!
Hey M~
Hang in there! Rest assured you are in my prayers. The Lord will teach you through this experience!
I know it may be little consolation right now, but some of my best (and most difficult) lessons have come through the most painful experiences of my life.
Whatever you are facing, remember that you are a child of God, and God is stronger than your challenges. Stay close to God and He will stay close to you.
To quote one of my favorite veggies... "God is bigger than the boogeyman!"
May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you. May he strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones.
1 Thessalonians 3:12-13
so sorry you're having to even deal with arrows and pain, but so thankful that you're choosing the right (not necessarily easy) path, of wanting to learn and heal your wounds.
yes, i'm praying and with confidence that God will shine the light brightly on the path that you are to follow. keep the Son in your eyes!
blessings!
These arrows hurt a lot. I looked like a pincushion myself about 5 years ago. I learned something from the Bible that is helping me overcome the pain.
He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief...
Surely he hath borne our griefs and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed." Isaiah 53:3-5
I am learning that not only did Jesus bear the pain of sins that we commit, but also the pain that others inflict upon us by their sins. Jesus knew the feelings of being lied to, betrayed, rejected, treated unjustly, you name it: He knows how we feel and He bore the pain of it so we don't have to.
I am not saying this is an "easy button" that will make the hurt go away. It is, though, a balm that we can continually rub on the wound when it hurts. Healing is a process, and when you find an arrow stuck in your hurt, take it to Jesus (otherwise you might be tempted to shoot it back at the one who put it there.)
I can testify to the spiritual and emotional healing of God's grace.
I apologize for the length of this comment, but I hope that in some way it will be a help to you.
God Bless.
thank you all for your support!
blestwithsons -- that verse was so appropriate! thanks so much for your willingness to encourage! you are such an encouragement!
tidy bowl -- i realize this has been true for my life, as well! even though it may hurt and seem so difficult, there's a reason, a purpose!
mom -- you know my "arrows" all too well, i don't have to say a word and you understand! it's been wonderful to have you on my side for almost 20 years now, wouldn't have made it this far without you!
gordon -- please don't ever apologize for a long post again! :-D you have lots of wisdom, and i'm only grateful whenever you have some to share! i hadn't thought i would be tempted to shoot the arrow back, i've just been trying to focus on getting it out. thanks for reminding me to take all to Him!
All of us go through pains in varying degrees. What's important is that you realize that there is a need to start healing. I will definitely include in my prayers. Take Care.
Btw, thanks for commenting in my blog.
You are in my prayers sweetie :)
Sending you hugs from AZ
(((((hugs)))))
Blest is mentioning an awesome passage. Start reading at verse 12, and it is Ephesians 6...
Hey girl! Thanks for visiting my blog! I think when you are young that is when you get the most arrows. It's a very tender time. I will pray that the Lord will continue to provide you with tenderness!
I am praying for you. Always.
Wonderfully written, with a great message.
That is so awesome that you posted about arrows! I just read that part in the Sacred Romance! It was the same day too! How awesome is God! I, too have been dealing with some arrows of past hurt. Thank you for reminding me what is important and for being a great witness and a great friend.
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