Job 6:28 - Look At Me
Step 1: Pray. Select.
Today, as I sat down to pray, I came to the Holy Spirit inquiring how to deal with hurt from betrayal. I asked how to surrender my hurt to the Lord completely and trust that he is turning it for good. Especially when the betrayal leaves you feeling isolated and alone.
I searched for verses dealing with grief and betrayal and came across Job 6:28. This is where I began my journey with the Holy Spirit today.
Step 2: Write. Read. Circle
After reading the scripture three times, the following words stood out amongst the others:
Job 6:28 - Now therefore, be pleased to look at me; For I would never lie to your face.
Step 3: Re-Write
With a focus on the words I circled that stood out, here is the personalized sentence that came alive in my heart.
Jennifer, look at me, I never lie to your face.
If you are doing this alongside me today, add your name in front of your unique sentence so the Lord can speak directly to you.
Step 4: Visualize
I begin to meditate on the sentence from the scripture today, and tears flow out of my heart as I close my eyes. This verse truly struck a chord with me this morning. Job pleads for his friend's empathy over the misery he's enduring. His friend's reaction and lack of compassion make him feel utterly betrayed and alone. We see him in isolation and loneliness over being completely dismissed and misunderstood. He begs to be seen. He cries out, “ Look at me.”
I, too, have felt these moments: where you have been hurt, but the person does not truly understand the impact of their actions. It is in these moments that I see my own heart overflowing with tears, bleeding out like a stream of pain. I realize that my Father is the only one who can comfort me in these situations, especially when the person who causes the pain lacks understanding.
We all hurt others unintentionally from time to time. But there are moments when the pain cuts so deep when we least suspect it, such as when we go to a trusted friend and look for comfort, and in turn, they do not support us or react from a place of their limited understanding without grace or compassion.
As I ponder this profound and complex situation, I realize that people will be people, but the Lord is our only constant and has walked this pain out before us. In Matthew 26:48-50, I quote, "Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them, 'The one I kiss is the man, arrest him.’ Going at once to Jesus, Judas said. 'Greetings, Rabbi,' and kissed him. Jesus replied, 'Do what you came for, friend."
Despite the hurt caused by Jesus’ disciple, Judas, in the passage, who Jesus had washed his feet only a few hours before at the Last Supper, causing this encounter, Jesus, knowing Judas was human, knew he was capable of such vile, hurtful behavior.
The Holy Spirit returns my attention to my heart, which is almost drowning in the flood of pain. The Holy Spirit tells me to keep my eyes on the Lord. He will take all my tears and use them for good. I realize that sometimes, when we mourn the idea of what we thought someone was, it is an exercise against our own futility. The Lord knows the world we live in. He experienced it himself. And the more we lean on him for infinite compassion to cure our broken hearts, the faster we heal. Instead of tears flowing out, disintegrating into nothing, he will use your pain, turn it into grace, and increase your compassion, filling your life with more joy. As for the people who betray, the Lord will deal with them in due time.
The Holy Spirit is telling me not to focus on their journey but rather on the one ahead of me. He tells me, "You will move free, flying on the wings of compassion, grace, and mercy from the Lord. There will be many Judases, but reprimanding those who wronged you is not your battle. Vengeance is the Lord's. Keep moving in grace as you witness the Lord restore the years the locusts have eaten."
I have a question for the Holy Spirit regarding the vision he has shown me, so I move to Step 5.
Step 5: Ask. Seek
The requests/questions that came to mind are:
Holy Spirit, we are only human, but why is it so hard to let it go when someone we trust betrays us?
Step 6: Hear. Write. Receive
Here is the answer I received:
“I have felt these things. My son has felt these things. The pain is immense. But I can heal all. You can, too. You can heal through Christ Jesus and the demonstration of Jesus' sacrifice. Focus on ascending, not descending. Jesus rose, and Judas fell. While you do not wish your loved ones to fall, let the Lord handle their battles, which do not pertain to the goodness the LORD has waiting in front of you. You are to focus on higher things. Bring your tears to me, and I will turn them to pure gold.”
Step 7: Pray. Confirm
Heavenly Father, I come to you through your Son, Jesus.
I ask that you not harden my heart when those around me leave me feeling utterly alone. I pray that you heal all my wounds and turn my tears into grace and compassion, flourishing joy, peace, and prosperity in my life in the future. I pray that you will handle my enemies and deal with them accordingly. I release all things unto you and do not carry anything with me as I go forward and lean upon you because I know that the only thing I can carry is what you've given me to proceed forward into your will and destiny for my life.
I ask these things in Jesus' holy name. Amen.
If you used the scripture of the day and need prayer or someone to pray with you, connect Here. Remember, you are not alone.
Step 8: Share. Testify
If you used the 8-Step Prayer Practice today, we would love to hear how God works in your life! You can comment below or share your miracle or testimony HERE.
Conclusion:
Friends, even though others may hurt you, intentionally or unintentionally, give it all to the Lord. Make sure that you surrender so He can turn your pain into good for those who love him.
Do not harden your heart. Instead, soar ahead on the wings of grace, compassion, and mercy.
Remember to keep your eyes fixed upon Him. While the people you love may fall short from time to time, He has promised He is eternally good.
Do not let the pain of today rob you of your joy. Let the Lord work inside your heart to heal you in the places that are most vulnerable.
God bless you. See you soon.
