What does everyone think?

[Christdefinesme]

Back a few years ago, when I was grieving over past issues (unmet needs in childhood, father's death at young age, mistakes I made before Christ, etc.), a very good friend once said to me that the Lord showed her that He wasn't going to wash away ALL of the grief and pain she herself had suffered and worked through, because He wanted her to be able to identify and minister to and empathize with others. In other words, He didn't want her to completely forget what that ache and pain feels like. So there was a portion she would have to just live with and walk with until He brings her to heaven.

I was wondering what you all think about that?

I personally wonder: Do I really want to FORGET what it was like to watch my parents suffer and die?? I don't really want to forget, I think I'm just tired of it being so deep, and indescribable. But, then again, what if my pain can be used in aonther's life?? What if that deep pain helps me understand/empathize/minister to/with another, possible a close friend, possibly a young woman working through issues, etc? Do I really want to forget and be closed off from another's pain? There is a comfort in being surrounded by those you know have suffered the same thing. It helps us feel not so isolated. And yet, I DO want to feel better. Maybe this is my identification with Christ and a cross I have to bear??
Any thoughts?

 

[marieg]

I don't know christdefinesme, I don't know if that is actually what Jesus does allows us to carry the pain so that we can identify with others. All I can say is that I watched my mother die, it took me a year to get over the memory of that it was very painful. But then the Lord healed me, it does not stop me from feeling anothers pain, it just means that I don't have to carry it with me all the time. If the Lord sets you free your free indeed.


marieg

 

[GrannySmith]

I think your sad experience will eventually allow you to help others with similar experiences, but I don't think God wants you to stay in pain. Grief is natural. It will take as long as it takes. You loved your parents and they loved you. Your parents are no longer suffering. They are ok and because of the love they had for you, they would not want you to suffer any longer and would desire your happiness. I ask God for your healing. God Bless you.

 

[Christdefinesme]

Thank you both for your words, and your prayers and thoughts.
I know that the Lord is healing me. He started already when I was
watching my parents suffer. AND the Lord has healed me emotionally
and spiritually of many other things. The friend I mentioned before
has also been greatly healed emotionally and spiritually by the Lord
from great trauma in her life. But, she still has grief, and it propels,
many times, good works in her life for the Glory of God.
I believe that God does not want us to suffer.
But the Word is very plain about us, on this earth, suffering in and with
Christ. "In this world you will have trouble, but take heart! I have
overcome the world". John 16:33.
So, I am not debating what you say, I am just wondering and want to be
prepared if there is a portion of this pain I may just have to carry (with
and in the Lord) until the day he takes me home.
I know that I have been deeply healed of many things, some of those
things I feel no pain about anymore, but some things I still feel pain,
in varying degrees. Maybe this is for His good purpose.
I know that when I was watching my mother suffer in the hospital on and
off one summer, thinking she was dying, and then her pulling through,
weeks and weeks of her being attached to a ventilator; I came back
into town from a bout of this when I friend came over to me in church,
who had just watched her father suffer the same things for a few weeks
and then he passed. She said she kept thinking of me and remembering,
"oh my goodness, this is what she is going through", and I think to some
extent it brought some comfort to know that someone else in your life
has experienced the same "otherworld" feeling of suffering that.
Any thoughts???