For some of us ignoring, hiding and suppressing pain has been necessary for our very survival. Some of us have had to endure utterly impossible, overwhelming and heartbreaking situations totally out of our control and we just did what we needed to do to keep ourselves alive. But sooner or later all that hidden stuff begins to pile up and as we navigate more and more of life, it often starts to trip us (and others) up. Often we’ve just grown used to walking around it, or tiptoeing across it. But God is a loving and compassionate God, He doesn’t want you to have to live your life constantly tiptoeing around! He wants to bring restoration. Like any good restorer though, He is gentle and slow (and meticulous); He doesn’t rush us, or pressure us; He knows when we’re ready.

Are there painful areas in your life you’ve been sweeping under the carpet for too long?

Is God inviting you to participate with Him in a little restoration project?

What might a small first step look like?

Sometimes the first step is simply being aware and willing to admit we’re still hiding and holding pain; sometimes it’s just getting to a point of wanting to be willing at all.