“Get Over It!”

With all wisdom and insight he has made known to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure, that he set forth in Christ, as a plan for the fullness of time, to gather up all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth. Ephesians 1:8-10

One of the great lies people tell is that of “tough love.” There are times, of course, when someone needs firm encouragement. Often, though, we hear people sharing “tough love” in times when plain old love would be much more effective.

“Get over it!”

“Move on!”

“Other people have it worse!”

“God doesn’t give you more than you can handle!”

All these statements can come from a good place. Yet they remain misguided, inaccurate, and unhelpful. Jesus came into the world as a healer willing to be wounded for you and me. It is by his wounds that we are healed. (Isaiah 53:5) He didn’t dismiss the suffering of the people he met… he redeemed it.

True healing can take more time than we’d like, but rushing things along physiologically or mentally is rarely helpful. Just remember those images of the Thai soccer team freed from the cave last week. When they were first brought out of the cave, they were strapped to stretchers with heavy blue cloths over their eyes to block the sunlight because too much light would be harmful after weeks in the darkness. They were (and remain) quarantined to monitor for illnesses contracted in the cave. The hugs and reunions needed to wait.  

Some of us have a “fix it” mindset when it comes to any and all problems. We need to understand that true healing and true growth take time and careful tending. Please join me in prayerfully contemplating the relationships in our lives. How are we making space for healing? How are we standing in the way of healing? Any names who rise up in your prayer time are the names of people you call, contact, buy coffee for, and connect with in whatever way makes the most sense. This can be a day of healing and growth.

Keep the faith,
Pastor Ben