Hidden Hurts

Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me, and know my anxieties; and see if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. Psalm 139:23-24

People who have been abused or have gone through traumatic experiences have sought to survive and cope with life behind a myriad of defense mechanisms. Some have been ritualistically abused to such an extent that they have no conscious memory of their experiences. Others constantly avoid anything that would stimulate those memories. Unable to process those experiences from the past, they live in denial. Others rationalize or try to suppress the pain with food, drugs or sex.

However, this is not God’s solution for their lives. The psalmist prays to God to search his heart and bring everything to light. God does search and test our hearts. “I, the LORD, search the heart, I test the mind, even to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his doings” (Jer. 17:10). Knowing this, you can always count on God to bring your past conflicts, however suppressed, to the surface at the right time so that everything can be brought into the light to be dealt with.

The first step in God’s answer for repressed trauma is shown here in Psalm 139:23-24. God knows about the hidden hurts within you which you may not be able to see. When you ask God to search your heart, He will expose the dark areas of your past and bring them to light. Not only is God the Healer of our hearts, He is also constantly near to those who are brokenhearted; to restore and lead them back to the path of wholeness. “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds” (147:3). “The LORD is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves such as have a contrite spirit” (34:18).

Jesus is the light of the world, he who follows Him shall not walk in darkness but have the light of life (John 8:12). As you embrace the truth of God’s Word in your heart today, let His light shine deep into the innermost parts of your life. As you meditate upon His love for you, allow the Holy Spirit to be your Counselor, Comforter and Healer. He wants to restore you completely and lead you back onto the path that leads to His eternal and abundant life.