Relying on God When Others Fail Us - The Crosswalk Devotional - February 22
Relying on God When Others Fail Us
By Vivian Bricker
Bible Reading:
“Though my father and mother forsake me, the Lord will receive me.” – Psalm 27:10
Others will fail us throughout our lives. Even our best friends, our siblings, and our parents will fail us. Due to hurt and pain in the past, we can hold bitterness and resentment against those who fail us. We relied on them, trusted them, and thought they would protect us, but they did not. All of the pain you are feeling is valid; however, it is time to let this pain go.
Everyone sins, and this means our loved ones have the capacity to fail us. Similar to how people have failed us, we have also failed others. When we reflect on this truth, it can help us to extend mercy and forgiveness to those who have failed us in the past. Life is too short to spend it holding grudges.
Similar to many children, I relied on my parents to help and protect me. When I was a child, I was playing in the house, and I broke something. My mom was very mad at me and told me I needed to grow up. I was seven at the time, and from that time forward, I was extra careful not to fall out of line because I didn't want my mom to get upset with me again.
Sadly, as I got older, I continued to mess up in different ways, and my mom would get upset with me. Due to my eating disorder struggles, my mom hit her wits end. She told me that I was “no better than Judas Iscariot” and that she didn't want to see me ever again. This was the same year she passed away, and as much as I wish I could wash these memories from my mind, I cannot.
Through therapy and personal reflection, I have seen that my mom failed me. I believe she tried her best, but I understand managing a child with an eating disorder and depression was too much for her. As an adult, I understand the struggle on her part, yet the pain still remains.
I've learned a lot through my own life and experiences, and I have been able to forgive her; however, I don't know if I will ever forget the pain of my mom’s hurtful words and actions towards me.
Our parents have the capacity to hurt us beyond remedy. This is because we love them so much. Our parents are supposed to be the ones who protect us, help us, and encourage us in life. They were never supposed to hurt us or shatter our self-worth.
Nevertheless, this is what happens. If you are somewhere similar today and someone you love has failed you, know you are not alone. As nice as it would be if our loved ones would never hurt us, inflict pain, or fail us, it is not always possible. Short tempers, painful experiences, and the effects of sin conjure up the worst storm of hurt.
The good news is that God doesn't leave us in our pain. Psalm 27:10 says, “Though my father and mother forsake me, the Lord will receive me.” Our fathers and mothers may forsake us, but the Lord will receive us. The Lord is our protector, our guide, and our Shepherd.
He has blessed us with forgiveness, eternal life, and salvation. Run to Him and trust Him with all of your feelings. Even deep hurts can be healed by the Lord. He is our healer and He will heal your wounds (Psalm 147:3).
God doesn't want us to hold on to these hurts any longer. We have the privilege of giving them over to Him today. Allow Him to carry this heavy burden and to give you peace (John 14:27). When our loved ones fail us, it is bitterly painful; however, we can find great comfort in the Lord’s healing and in His constant love.
“Dear Jesus, my loved one has failed me on many occasions, and it hurts me deeply. I praise You, Lord, for You have never failed me, and You never will. Please surround my heart with your healing today and help me to forgive those who have failed me. I may never recover from the pain inflicted by my loved ones, but I know I can fully rely on You. You are worthy of my reliance, Lord, and I turn to You. Amen.”
Intersecting Faith & Life:
- Having our loved ones fail us is painful. How will you turn to God today with this pain?
- Do you need God’s help in forgiving the person who failed you? If you do, do you feel up to asking Him for help today?
- How do you feel knowing that Jesus will never fail you? Does this equip you with a desire to trust Him more?
Further Reading:
Exodus 14:14
Psalm 55:22
Isaiah 26:4
Photo Credit: ©GettyImages/AntonioGuillem
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