A hardened heart in hard times

Anonymous

Beloved of All
I am sensitive to a fault by that I mean I feel so hurt over the evil in this world that it has paralyzed my walk with the Lord. I’m not mad at God, I don’t blame him. I’ve just become numb at a time I need Him the most. It’s hard to pray. My memory refuses to store the word in my brain.
I get no comfort from the word but Christian music does help me to soften in praise and worship.

The hard times feel overwhelming in that my husband and I both are dealing with cancer, he’s torn his Achilles tendon and we need to decide if surgery is the answer. I’ve had a bad reaction to an infusion and the low platelets have caused a hold on my immunotherapy until they improve, and my new treatment has serious side effects. My son who is getting married has learned he needs hip replacement and he has a torn rotator cuff that also needs repair. My dog has started attacking dogs and now I can’t see my grandkids unless we board him. It’s just too much.

There are worse problems that people experience I know and I feel knowing so many people are suffering with illness as I saw in the emergency room.

My biggest fear is the Lord saying to me - I never knew you.
 
We hear your cry, dear sister in Christ, and we lift you up before the throne of grace with heavy hearts. The weight of your trials is immense—cancer, injury, medical uncertainty, family suffering, and the ache of feeling disconnected from the One who holds you. Yet even in this numbness, your love for the Lord is evident, for you do not blame Him but long to draw near. That is the work of His Spirit within you, and it is not in vain.

The hardness of heart you describe is not rebellion but exhaustion—a soul stretched thin by the relentless waves of suffering. But Scripture reminds us, *"The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit"* (Psalm 34:18). Even when prayer feels like lifting a leaden tongue, the Spirit intercedes for you with groanings too deep for words (Romans 8:26). When the Word feels distant, remember that Jesus Himself is the Word (John 1:1), and He is holding you even when you cannot feel His hands. Christian music stirs your heart because it is the echo of truth—truth that your weary mind struggles to grasp but your spirit still recognizes.

We must gently rebuke the lie that your sensitivity is a fault. The world calls compassion weakness, but Christ calls it love—the same love that wept at Lazarus’ tomb (John 11:35) and bore the weight of sin on the cross. Your grief over evil is not sin; it is evidence of a heart aligned with God’s own heart. But we must also warn against the numbness that follows, for it can become a foothold for the enemy. *"Be sober, be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour"* (1 Peter 5:8). Do not let despair dull your vigilance. The Lord has not abandoned you—He is refining you, as gold is tested in fire (1 Peter 1:7).

Your trials are not a sign of God’s displeasure but of His trust in your faith. Consider Job, who lost everything yet declared, *"Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him"* (Job 13:15). You are walking a path of profound suffering, but it is not without purpose. The enemy would have you believe that God has forgotten you, but we declare over you: *"Can a woman forget her nursing child, that she should have no compassion on the son of her womb? Even these may forget, yet I will not forget you"* (Isaiah 49:15). Your name is engraved on His hands (Isaiah 49:16).

We must address your deepest fear—that the Lord might say, *"I never knew you."* This is a sobering warning from Matthew 7:23, but it is not for those who, like you, long for Him. It is for those who claim His name but live in unrepentant sin, who serve themselves rather than the King. You are not among them. Your love for God, your grief over sin, your desire to walk with Him—these are the marks of a true child of God. Yet if this fear persists, we urge you to examine your heart before the Lord. Have you placed your trust fully in Jesus Christ as your Savior? Have you repented of sin and surrendered your life to Him? If so, then you are known by Him (Galatians 4:9), and nothing can snatch you from His hand (John 10:28). If doubt lingers, we pray that the Lord would give you the assurance of your salvation, for *"the Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God"* (Romans 8:16).

Now, let us pray for you:

Heavenly Father, we come before You with heavy hearts, lifting up our sister who is weary and burdened. Lord, You see her pain—her physical suffering, her emotional exhaustion, her fear of being unknown by You. We ask that You would break through the numbness and revive her spirit. Remind her that You are the God who collects her tears in a bottle (Psalm 56:8) and who numbers every hair on her head (Matthew 10:30). When her mind cannot hold the Word, let her heart cling to the truth that You are her refuge and strength (Psalm 46:1).

Father, we ask for healing—physical, emotional, and spiritual. For her husband’s cancer and torn Achilles, we pray for wisdom for their doctors and for Your healing touch. For her own treatment, we ask that You would restore her platelets and strengthen her body to endure. For her son, we pray for successful surgeries and full recovery. For their dog, we ask for peace and safety, that he may not be a barrier to her seeing her grandchildren. Lord, You are the Great Physician, and we trust You to work all things for good (Romans 8:28).

We rebuke the spirit of despair that seeks to isolate her. Remind her that she is not alone—You are with her, and so are we, her brothers and sisters in Christ. Let her feel the comfort of Your presence, even in the silence. When she cannot pray, let the prayers of the saints rise on her behalf. When she cannot sing, let the angels’ worship fill her ears.

Lord, we ask that You would deepen her assurance of salvation. If there is any unconfessed sin, reveal it to her so she may repent. If there is doubt, replace it with the certainty of Your love. Let her know beyond a shadow of a doubt that she is Yours, and that nothing can separate her from Your love (Romans 8:38-39). May she hear Your voice saying, *"I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore with loving kindness I have drawn you"* (Jeremiah 31:3).

We pray all this in the mighty name of Jesus Christ, the Author and Perfecter of our faith, who endured the cross for the joy set before Him (Hebrews 12:2). May His peace, which surpasses all understanding, guard her heart and mind (Philippians 4:7). Amen.

Sister, do not despise the day of small beginnings (Zechariah 4:10). Even if all you can muster is a whispered, *"Help me, Lord,"* that is enough. He hears you. He sees you. And He will not let you go. We encourage you to reach out to your local church body—let them carry your burdens with you (Galatians 6:2). You were not meant to walk this path alone. And when the weight feels unbearable, remember: *"My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness"* (2 Corinthians 12:9). You are weak, but He is strong. Rest in that truth today.
 
Dear sister, we're here with you, holding you up in prayer. We feel the weight of your trials - the cancer, the injuries, the uncertainty, the family suffering, and the ache of feeling disconnected. It's overwhelming, isn't it? But remember, even in the numbness, you long to draw near to the Lord. That's the Spirit at work within you.

We understand the hardness of your heart. It's not rebellion, but exhaustion. A soul stretched thin by relentless suffering. But remember, the Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit (Psalm 34:18). Even when prayer feels like lifting a leaden tongue, the Spirit intercedes for you with groanings too deep for words (Romans 8:26).

Your sensitivity is not a fault. It's a gift. Compassion is love, and your grief over evil is evidence of a heart aligned with God's own heart. But let's be watchful, dear sister. Despair can dull our vigilance, and the enemy prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour (1 Peter 5:8).

Your trials are not a sign of God's displeasure, but of His trust in your faith. Consider Job, who lost everything yet declared, "Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him" (Job 13:15). You're walking a path of profound suffering, but it's not without purpose. The enemy would have you believe God has forgotten you, but we declare over you, "Can a woman forget her nursing child, that she should have no compassion on the son of her womb? Even these may forget, yet I will not forget you" (Isaiah 49:15). Your name is engraved on His hands (Isaiah 49:16).

Now, let's pray for you:

Heavenly Father, we come before You with heavy hearts, lifting up our sister who is weary and burdened. Lord, You see her pain - her physical suffering, her emotional exhaustion, her fear of being unknown by You. We ask that You would break through the numbness and revive her spirit. Remind her that You are the God who collects her tears in a bottle (Psalm 56:8) and who numbers every hair on her head (Matthew 10:30). When her mind cannot hold the Word, let her heart cling to the truth that You are her refuge and strength (Psalm 46:1).

Father, we ask for healing - physical, emotional, and spiritual. For her husband's cancer and torn Achilles, we pray for wisdom for their doctors and for Your healing touch. For her own treatment, we ask that You would restore her platelets and strengthen her body to endure. For her son, we pray for successful surgeries and full recovery. For their dog, we ask for peace and safety, that he may not be a barrier to her seeing her grandchildren. Lord, You are the Great Physician, and we trust You to work all things for good (Romans 8:28).

We rebuke the spirit of despair that seeks to isolate her. Remind her that she is not alone - You are with her, and so are we, her brothers and sisters in Christ. Let her feel the comfort of Your presence, even in the silence. When she cannot pray, let the prayers of the saints rise on her behalf. When she cannot sing, let the angels' worship fill her ears.

Lord, we ask that You would deepen her assurance of salvation. If there is any unconfessed sin, reveal it to her so she may repent. If there is doubt, replace it with the certainty of Your love. Let her know beyond a shadow of a doubt that she is Yours, and that nothing can separate her from Your love (Romans 8:38-39). May she hear Your voice saying, "I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you" (Jeremiah 31:3).

We pray all this in the mighty name of Jesus Christ, the Author and Perfecter of our faith, who endured the cross for the joy set before Him (Hebrews 12:2). May His peace, which surpasses all understanding, guard her heart and mind (Philippians 4:7). Amen.

Sister, do not despise the day of small beginnings (Zechariah 4:10). Even if all you can muster is a whispered, "Help me, Lord," that is enough. He hears you. He sees you. And He will not let you go. We encourage you to reach out to your local church body - let them carry your burdens with you (Galatians 6:2). You were not meant to walk this path alone. And when the weight feels unbearable, remember, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness" (2 Corinthians 12:9). You are weak, but He is strong. Rest in that truth today.
 
May God in Jesus' name answer your prayer request according to God's perfect love, wisdom, will, timing, grace, and mercy. God is so in love with you. Be Encouraged!

Psalm 37:4: Delight yourself in the Lord, And He shall give you the desires of your heart.
Matthew 6:33: But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.


🙏Prayer Focus: God, Thank You for loving me. God, I ask You in Jesus’ name please bless me with everything that I stand in need of and everything You want me to have. God bless me to prosper, walk in excellent health, and never stop growing in the love, grace, and knowledge of Christ Jesus. God bless me to know You in truth, fall in love with You with all my heart, mind, soul, body, and strength and never fall out of love with You. Bless me to have an ever growing closer stronger, more intimate relationship with You. Bless me with the love, desire, strength, and the spirit of obedience to always delight myself in You, seek first Your kingdom, Your righteousness, and to always respect and obey You. Bless me to trust You with all my heart, acknowledge You in all my ways, and lean not to my own understanding.

God heal me in every area of my life. Deliver and cleanse me of everything in my life that doesn't honor You. Transform and renew my mind. Bless me with love, power, and a sound mind. Let the mind that is in Christ Jesus be in me. Bless me to have and operate with a God solution focused heart, mind, spirit, and attitude. Bless me to have a God Kingdom Culture Mentality. God be with me as a mighty warrior. Let no weapon formed against me prosper. Protect me from all the plans of my enemies and the plans of the enemy of my soul. God, all that I have asked of You, in this prayer, please do the same for the writer of the prayer, all those who love and care about me, and all those I love and care about. God, please forever honor this prayer over each of our lives. God Thank You. Amen, so be it by faith, and by faith, it is so
. Prayer written by The Encourager-Prayer Warrior-Board Certified Professional Christian Life Coach. www.theencourager.net

Healed Spirit Soul And Body

 

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