God is Kind

God is love. We all know the phrase by heart, and many of us will use it to describe Him when asked. What we don't always agree on is the question: "How does He show His love today?' Some may say that it's the feeling you get when you're near to Him. Others may say His love looks like providing for your needs or performing miracles. Personally, I was also told that He is a God of tough love. That His love can look like lectures, rebuke, and expectations to live up to. That He will allow us to go through pain so we will grow. That when we come to Him, He will confront us with our mistakes so we learn from them.

My father and I both are prone to wound infections. Something as small as a paper cut can lead to a painfully red and swollen wound.

When I started painting these flowers, there was no thought behind it. I was just following a picture God showed me of Him handing me these flowers. While painting it became clear to me that He gave me chamomile, and I felt Him soothing my heart. Very slowly I realized what He was getting at: My father and I both are prone to wound infections. Something as small as a paper cut can lead to a painfully red and swollen wound. Though of course I never liked wounds, as a young child I feared the painful treatment to avoid infection much more than the wound itself. The wound was bad, but the treatment felt like it added insult to injury. Thank God, my mother found an organic chamomile cream. It was painless, velvety soft, and smelled nice. The cream would re-open a closed wound and allow the chamomile to target the infection. Though it started bleeding again, the soothing effect of the cream was far greater than the discomfort. It was my miracle cream.

God doesn't add insult to injury. His first instinct isn't to pour a painful lecture into our open wounds.

This was what God was saying with the painting! When we get wounded, usually it's because either we or someone else made a mistake or we're clumsy. But God doesn't add insult to injury. His first instinct isn't to pour a painful lecture into our open wound. No, He's like my mother. He will allow the wound to bleed and dry first. He will allow us to let out our raw emotions. To cry and scream and complain. He will help us get through this stage by providing comfort and reminding us of His goodness. Just like in the story of the prodigal son, He isn't ready to lecture, confront or judge. He's doesn't say "I told you so" or "you should be ashamed, maybe that will teach you to never do it again." He's ready to embrace us. Once the worst is over, when the wound has closed, that's when He'll want to address possible infections like anger, depression, bitterness, worthlessness, insecurities, and the behavior that caused the wound in the first place.

God's restoration isn't one of shame or destroyed self-worth, but of relief, hope, and acceptance.

If we fail to let Him, maybe He will have no other choice to confront us with it. Because He cares too much about us, to let us walk through life with a painful and spreading infection. Yet, if we allow Him to come into our wound, He will do it just like the cream. The wound may hurt again, but His love will be greater than the hurt. Instead of focusing on the wound, we will see His grace and comfort. Instead of pain, we feel the overwhelming love of His personal care. God's restoration isn't one of shame or destroyed self-worth, but of relief, hope, and acceptance. Love is patient. Love is kind God is kind. (First published on Facebook, januari 26th 2021)