So if the Son makes you free, then you are unquestionably free.
(John 8:36 AMP)
Abba Father, there’s a hard place within me that I know I need to deal with.
Yes, my child. I know that, too.
It’s been there a long time. I have lived with it for so long. So much pain.
Yes, my child, you have.
I don’t know how to get rid of this hard place. Disappointment, unforgiveness, a bit of bitterness. Like a mountain with a deep root. So painful for so long. So much.
Yes, my child. I know that. Would you like me to help you with it?
Yes, God.
What do you want me to do?
Is it possible for it to just disappear and for me to be freed?
I am the God of the Universe, and everything is possible. But that is not my best love for you in this situation. I want you to be freed from this mountain, but I need to do the work another way.
Will it hurt?
Probably. Trusting me to untangle the heavy, hard boulders of pain from those tendrils of memories and emotions may hurt at first. Moving a mountain one rock at a time is never an easy task.
God, I don’t have the strength to move this mountain. It’s so heavy and painful. I’m so worn out from the struggle. I’m so tired.
Sweet child, I’m not asking YOU to move it. I’m asking you to allow ME to move it. I’m asking you to allow me, one piece at a time, to take it from you. Think of it as an offering to Me.
An offering? Like you told Abraham to offer Isaac?
Yes. Abraham loved and trusted me so much that he was willing to give his long-promised and only son to me. I spared Isaac, but later I gave my long-promised and only Son for you. I gave that offering for you. Can you give to me your pain and your struggles as an offering?
I can try. I’ve carried it so long I don’t know how to let it go.
I know, lovely one. That’s why I’m offering to take it from you. All you have to do is ask, and I’ll move away those boulders.
That sounds like a lot of work on your part.
Do you see me smile? This isn’t work for me; it’s love. I love you. I want you to be able to forgive. I want you to let go of all that disappointment – yes, all of it. I want to turn the bitterness in your spirit into a sweet healing balm and the fragrant incense of worship that delights me. I want that hardness and pain to be changed into peace and joy. I want you to be free. I love you.
Can that really be true, God?
Oh yes, my child. I love you so much. Will you trust me to heal you?
Yes, Lord. Will you heal me?
Yes. I love you.
AMEN.
“I love doing preposterous things,” he replied. “Why, I don’t know anything more exhilarating and delightful than turning weakness into strength, and fear into faith, and that which has been marred into perfection. If there is one thing more than mother which I should enjoy doing at this moment it is turning a jellyfish into a mountain goat. That is my special work,” he added with the light of a great joy in his face.” – The Shepherd in Hinds Feet on High Places by Hannah Hurnard