An annual 382 billion dollar beauty industry, ranging from over-the-counter cosmetics to a wide selection of plastic surgery options, makes it possible for almost any woman to touch up the outside of her life while masking the pain that’s hidden within. The task of airbrushing our appearance to near-perfection is a much easier endeavor than restoring inward lives, entangled in misery. But these enhancement techniques only momentarily numb the chaos within.
I recently responded to a request to assist a young gal in the mental health unit. The woman standing in front of me didn’t match the gal I imagined I would meet. Her 5’11” frame looked strong and elegant. As she turned to face me, I observed her lovely face and warm blue eyes. Her thick blond hair was loosely piled on top of her head. From all outward appearances this woman appeared to have more than her fair share of good fortune.
However, within moments, the outward veil vanished, revealing the stench of infected wounds. Meth and heroin addictions had demolished her life, separating her from the children she loved. A string of men had used her body and emptied her soul. As we sat together in the small room, my eyes locked on the scripted tattoo on her slender bare foot. It read, “Beloved”.
Romans 5:8 was etched on the curve of her neck. She recalled the text from memory:
But God demonstrates His own love for us in this:
While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
This woman loved God deeply and acknowledged His indomitable love for her that stood fast amidst her poor choices. Yet, with unvarnished truth, she uncovered the many pain-filled decisions that brought us together in that moment. This woman, whom some would dismiss as a repulsive addict, became my tutor as I listened. Her humility modeled choices I often neglect:
#1 – No filter with self: She had stopped running to honestly assess the condition of her soul, confessing to herself that she was powerless to overcome the strongholds that had destroyed her life. She admitted herself into that care facility, hoping to discover a pathway towards healing. I considered my own tendency to avoid the risk of unearthing those areas in my soul that are infected or fractured. How often had I ignored my own weaknesses and areas of bondage, using the rush of activity to escape probing into the deep caverns of my soul? In doing so, had I forfeited a life of genuine wholeness?
#2 – No Filter with God: We ended our time together in prayer. Her prayer was as simple as it was sincere. Two words summed up the immeasurable volumes of suffering within her heart: “Lord, help!” she cried. The words fell in unison with her tears. This familiar two-word prayer reverberates throughout Psalm 107. Its brevity assures us that God responds to our pain, not our eloquence.
You keep track of all my sorrows.
You have collected all my tears in your bottle.
You have recorded each one in your book.
Psalm 56:8 (NLT)
Your pain, your failure, your guilt is 100% safe with God!
With deep affection, He stores every tear you shed.
Then He journals the contents surrounding every one of those tears.
Listen, I know my husband loves me deeply, but I assure you he isn’t creating journal entries about my tears! But God is recording continuously!
#3 – No Filter with Others: This broken woman chose wisely to become vulnerable with someone who was like-minded in her faith. She courageously reached out to the Church, longing to safely pour out the contents of her heart. Removing our filter with someone we can trust is critical to the process of healing our deepest wounds:
Confess your sins to one another THAT YOU MAY BE HEALED! (James 5:16)
This woman removed the filters that had isolated her in shame and brokenness. Her example challenged me to live an unfiltered life with myself, with God, and with those I can deeply trust. It is the only way I will experience the wholeness necessary to undauntedly serve the suffering world in which I live.
Ultra-filtered lives around us may appear so perfect, but as we begin to listen intently, we will discover familiar, muffled cries emerging. People all around us are searching for the freedom that accompanies an unfiltered, healthy life. May we become unfiltered instruments God can use to point the way to healing!
Beauty Awaits…
Patty
Take a moment today and read Psalm 107. Then, in unfiltered fashion, honestly assess the condition of your soul, pour out the contents of your soul before God, and then make yourself accountable to someone you can trust. Choose to live an unfiltered life!
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