Healing

Good morning beautiful; I hope this post finds you well rested and coffee in hand!

Start off by reading Matthew 8:28-34.

This is the passage that Jesus encounters the two demon possessed men. He casts out the demons and they run to the pigs, where they throw themselves into the lake and die. Sounds like a problem solved, right?

The peculiar thing about this passage is the crowd’s reaction to this miraculous deliverance. Verse 34 says, “Then the whole town went out to meet Jesus. And when they saw him, they pleaded with him to leave their region.” Wait, what? After the healing..they wanted him to leave? These two men were violent in their possession. The passage described in verse 28, “They were so violent that no one could pass that way.” This means these men directly affected the people of  this region. The same people who’s response to healing was to kindly plead with the Healer to get out?

As silly as this initially sounded to me, the Holy Spirit started to reveal my hypocrisy. I began to see a parallel to how I am with some of the sins and afflictions in my life and the townspeople’s response. Sometimes, we (yeah, I am bringing you in this because I hope I am not the only one) prefer to avoid the sins and afflictions all together because of their violent nature. However, when Jesus shines light in them to eradicate them from our lives, we react similarly to these people. We prefer to ignore or shield the “thing” instead of acknowledge the need for healing and deliverance. It can be shame, fear, selfishness or ignorance that drives the resistance.

I can think of a few times I reacted like the townspeople. I was limiting the power of God. Did I believe I would have fulfillment once the thorn was removed from my flesh? Did I believe the pruning would be too painful? Did I love the “thing” first? Thank you Jesus for grace.

“For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace.” Romans 6:14.

Jesus promises rest, peace and wholeness. See Matthew 11:28, John 16:33, Romans 5:1 and John 10:10 for a reminder. But, he also said he came for the sick (unrighteous). Some sickness is so painful to get through. However, the healing is worth it. The wholeness is possible. The health is attainable. The grace is sufficient.

Lord, forgive me for shielding away the wounds that needed your attention most. Forgive me for limiting your limitless power. Heal and cleanse all darkness in me. You have done it before, you will do it again. You are faithful. I accept this healing. I love you and praise you for who you are! Amen. 

Rest

I feel it’s most appropriate to post about my favorite verse in Matthew as we kick off exploring this book together.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. ”  Matthew 11:28

I don’t need to do much analysis of this verse. It is a direct, clear command; a perfect summary of Christ’s love. So, then, why do I forget that truth so easily? Some days my heart feels mangled. I allow myself to drown in obligation, fear or unrest.  I received some upsetting news recently that interrupted the perfect scenario that I constructed in my mind. I don’t know about you, but I do not appreciate when life interferes with my plans. I lost hours of sleep over it and worked myself into a mess of fear, doubt and anger. With a broken heart, I confronted God. I do not know what I thought I would gain. Revenge? Relief, maybe?

I wish I could report that the situation was miraculously solved; that Jesus physically came down to me from the clouds and fixed my broken heart by giving me what I wanted. That may make for a more entertaining read. However, the miracle that took place was not visible or tangible. It was a heart change.  He gave me rest. He provided protection and enough clarity to accept what was. Not an explanation of why the situation played out like it did, but a reminder of who I am and who I belong to. Exodus 14:14 says, “The Lord will fight for you; you need only be still.” My mother sent it to me after my late night, tearful phone call with her after receiving the news. (You will learn in this blog that my mother is my mentor, friend and therapist when I really lose my cool.) So, desperate for relief, after a few angry conversations with our Creator, I did just that. I simply asked for Him to take over because I was tired and hurting. Immediately, as He has done for me so many times, He did just that. He gave me rest. 

There is no peace like that which Jesus gives. It is said to pass all understanding because it can exist when your heart is broken. Ponder that today. Imagine laying your head on his shoulder and truly experiencing rest. Thank him for giving it so freely. Read verses 11:28-30 a few times until your heart believes it. Then, rest.

Welcome

My name is Kristen Gillette and I am thrilled that you are sharing this journey with me. I am a late twenty-something, still learning who I am and what it is I want to do with my life. I am not a writer and celebrated when I finished English 1102 and knew I would never have to take an English course again. I have an education in Child and Family Development and have worked in social services, property management, and am now getting my feet wet with prevention and planning.  Needless to say, I have worked with and for all kinds of kinds. I love people. Don’t get me wrong, I can be quite the introvert when I am not forced otherwise; but people really are my passion.

That brings me to my main focus in this entire blog: Jesus. I love the way he loves people. His time on earth was loaded with accepting, forgiving, teaching, and comforting people. Aka: loving them. And He continues to do so every day, in every life. I have known Jesus for most of my life, but feel I have only scratched the surface of who He is. I have experienced His love time and time again poured out on me. I am so undeserving; but He continues to show grace and mercy. This content is just as much for me as it is for you. I want to know Him so much more closely. How will we do that? Digging in his love letter written to us, His children, called the Holy Bible.

So now we will finally get to my purpose behind all of this.. the material. I enjoy studying scripture in small pieces. I believe God speaks several messages within the same passages. He reveals new things to me all the time in some of the same stories or ‘memory verses’ that I have known for years. The purpose of this blog is to take scripture and study and analyze it with you. One of my favorite times to study the Word is in the morning, coffee in hand. So, I decided to create a space that you could go to study a little piece of scripture during your morning cup of coffee and ponder what He speaks to you as you walk out your day.

Thank you again for being part of this. I love you, and so does our awesome Jesus.