Dear Dr. B,
Life has just been so hard lately. It has left me feeling spent, and left my emotions raw. Have you ever felt that way? What do you do in times like that?
Sincerely,
Real and Raw

I’m so sorry for your pain. I have great compassion because I have been experienced times when my emotions were raw. It’s in times like that when we really want our friends to understand and to be able to help and comfort us. But that’s often when, try as they might, if they haven’t walked through similar trials, they might not be able to understand.

Jesus experienced times when His emotions were raw

As I prayed about my response, I felt like God reminded me that even when our friends and family members may not understand this depth of emotion, He does. He has been in that position.

On the night that Jesus was betrayed, He was in the garden praying. He was overcome by such emotion, and praying that if there was any way possible, that God would spare Him from having to die. Scripture says that Jesus was in such agony, His emotions were so raw, that He sweat drops of blood.

“He prayed more fervently, and he was in such agony of spirit that his sweat fell to the ground like great drops of blood.” (Luke 22: 44)

When your emotions are raw, pray all the more fervently

Yet, Jesus was the perfect example for us. He didn’t run from His emotions. He didn’t try to bury them. He didn’t busy Himself in work, or overeat or oversleep. Scripture says that when He was in such emotional turmoil, “He prayed more fervently.”

That’s what we too need to do when our emotions are raw, when we are so spent from the difficult circumstances we face. We need to pray all the more fervently.

Who better to take these raw emotions to? Who better to take our difficult circumstances to than the One who faced the most difficult of life circumstances and gained the victory over them so that we could have the victory?

Our prayers are powerful and effective

We are promised that, “The fervent prayers of a righteous person are powerful and effective.” (James 5:16)

That should bring a great deal of comfort. I could relate to your question. I’ve experienced many difficulties that left me emotionally raw and many of my friends have as well. But when we are in those situations, we are encouraged by Jesus’s example to pray all the more fervently.

 

 

Praying God’s promises shifts your focus to God

When we pray in agreement with the promises God has made to us in His word, they become more embedded in our hearts. The more we pray it (fervent prayer), the more we come to believe it and expect it. It shifts your focus off the circumstance and onto God and His timing.

Bible Verses to stand on when you are emotionally raw

I don’t know what situations you are facing or what circumstances you find yourself in.

But we can stand on these promises when our emotions run high:

• I know who goes before you.
  “The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” (Deuteronomy 31:8)
• I know that He knows the plans He has for you. Those plans are good, they are to prosper you and not to harm you. They include a future and a hope.
  “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11)
• And He promises to work all things together for our good when we love Him and are called for His purpose.
  “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28)

Have you ever experienced raw emotions and turned to prayer for comfort? Share your experiences and insights in the comments below. We’d love to hear your stories and how prayer has impacted your journey.

 

Because of Him, #HopePrevails!

 

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We all experience pain from time to time, and not just physical pain, but also emotional pain, relational pain, spiritual pain, grief and loss.

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