My big toe is hurting!

This weekend I scratched my big toe. It hurt for the moment--I thought but when I was getting ready to go to church today, the shoes I put on made it hurt more to the extent that I changed shoes! Of course, I told my wife, wanting a little consideration and petting but didn't get much. But nobody else could tell that my toe was hurting. Oh, I could have pulled off my shoe and asked people to look at my hurt but you just don't do things like that.

Now think about the hurting of those in the church that wish they could show someone that they were hurting but are a little embarrassed to do so. And then again, some people know that others just won't understand or think that their hurt is bigger. Don't you just (I started to say hate!) want to avoid those people who tell you that their hurt is bigger or worse.

And then there are those that would not ever let anyone know that they are hurting. They hurt way down inside. Maybe for things that happened months or even years ago. As the doctor asks "where does it hurt?" we cannot do that. But please rest assured, the great Physician Jesus knows where it hurts. Oh praise be to the LORD.

The 'woman at the well' knew hurt but the disciples did not recognize it when they met her going to draw water. How long did she hurt? The WORD does not say but I believe she may have been looking for someone to help her in the hurt is the reason she had 5 husbands. Now she was living with another man she was afraid to commit to because the hurt was still there. But oh how wonderful she felt when Jesus let her know that he knew her hurt and the water He offered would heal her hurt. With excitement she reentered the city to say 'come see a man that is healing my hurt' and He can heal yours too.

Jesus did not condemn her but He showed her love that could heal her hurt. Are you showing that love that can start the healing process in someone? An arm around the shoulder, a kind word, a sweet smile can be the key to open the door to healing the hurting. Love them. Who? The hurting.