“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” Psalm 34:18
“They’ve really gotten close to the Lord after that terrible tragedy,” she reflected in wonder, but I thought, “No. The Lord has really gotten close to them, to carry them, to heal them, to console them, to love them.”
I know, because I have had Him draw close to me before, and the beauty of His presence is an aroma that makes grief a glorious gain, pain perfectly permissible, and loss livable.
Are you in pain right now? Is the brokenness in your life causing you to despair? Then you should open your eyes and your heart to await His presence. Await the fragrance of His presence. His voice is still and small. His touch is gentle. And if you force the futility, push the pain away, wrestle with willfulness, or fight the fiery furnace, you might miss the silent, Suffering Saviour who comes near to walk this way of suffering with you.
Go to a quiet place. Close your eyes. Breathe deeply. Inhale and just rest. . . and feel. . . and listen. Wait for His presence to envelope you like a fragrance diffuses into the air. Let Him awash you in the healing aroma of His presence.
He knows about brokenness. It is His brokenness that releases the fragrance of healing to you. Breathe it in. Allow it to anoint you. Let it diffuse your life with the fragrance of renewal, regeneration. . . hope.
His presence with you in suffering is such a miraculous moment that . . . when hope deferred returns with desire as a tree of life. . . and you return to joy. . . you may mysteriously miss the fiery trial and the brief yet holy encounter with the One who walked so closely with you.
Shari
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Thank you for this beautiful reminder! I appreciate your words!
I would love for you to come link up your post at my “Encouragement is Contagious!” linky party! And… please link up some of your other favorites from blogs you love! Then, those bloggers will also get lots of unexpected, encouraging comments! It’s all about encouraging one another for His praise!
Blessings!
Melanie
Melanie,
Thank you for your kind words. I’m on my way to visit you!
You’ve been very ‘encouraging’!
Shari
Such words of encouragement, beautiful. Thank you for posting…….
~Emily
This is breathtaking, really a beautiful post. I’m so glad Melanie encouraged both of us to join her blog party so I would find you here. Thank you, sister, and may the Lord bless you with the mystery you write of, if brokenness is where you’re living today.