The Abscess
by Angela Weir
A friend of mine has recently had an abscess and has had to go regularly to the doctor’s to have it squeezed. It wasn’t a nice experience, and one which most of us would like to shy away from. However, in order for the abscess to be dealt with, the visits to the doctor’s were necessary, and thankfully things are now much improved.
Not long ago I was ministering to a lady with deeply buried pain. It was hard to help her, as she wasn’t really ready to look at the pain. She had come beautifully made-up, and was bothered about the tears smudging her mascara. I think she hoped that I could just somehow make the pain disappear for her, but sadly things don’t work that way. In order to be free of pain, it’s necessary to bring it to the surface and release it.
Rather like squeezing the abscess, it will hurt, but it’s a necessary part of the healing process. Many of us would prefer not to look at the pain, but it won’t just go away. The tears need to be shed, and the pain needs to be released. Sometimes people are afraid that, if they once begin to let go, it won’t stop. But it does, and the pain is much better out than in.
The freedom begins by forgiving those who’ve hurt us, and then asking God to join up our memories and emotions. This doesn’t always happen straight away, but in God’s time it will happen, and we don’t need to be afraid of the tears. Let them flow.
Prayer: Dear Father, I’m choosing to forgive the people who’ve hurt me, (it will help you to name them) and I release them from my judgement, but I’m afraid to let go of the pain I feel. Please help me. I give You permission to connect my memories to the pain, and I ask that You would comfort me as I let go of all the pain and hurt. In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.
Angela Weir has been associated with Ellel Ministries from the very beginning, first as an associate member of the ministry team and later as an associate teacher. She trained as an actress before moving to Cumbria, where she taught drama in a girls’ school. She now teaches and ministers at various Ellel Centres.
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