For HIS goodness sake!

(Nahum 1:7)

The Lord is good, a strong hold in the day of

trouble; and He knoweth

them that trust in Him.

It is customary for us as humans, when something in life goes wrong or we have hit several brick walls and pot holes on our journey, that we turn towards those that we trust, to vent, complain, pour out all of the muck and hurts that have us so easily bound. Often times, we become circular communicators; repeating over and over again, that thing that has us so bothered....like a splinter in the palm of our hands. We even become selfish; not considering that the listener may have a mile long list of struggles and circumstances that they hold in like bad wind causing a treacherous storm in the gut.

If we were to be honest, we would admit that, we really do not want to hear what the other person has to say about themselves. Not at that time. We want to be heard. Hear me! Listen! Be available! Place your life on hold, because I need you....someone, to hear me! Now!

We are heard. We are given the time and the space to cry out. The bad news is shared. So, now what? Besides having the sensation of temporarily feeling better, until needing to vent again....what next? What was resolved? How did simply hearing you, help, if you need a resolution in reality, to that thing peeling the veins out of your heart? I have heard it before: "Sometimes all you need is for someone to listen." I have read it in so many memes that I have actually believed it myself...until I needed more than an ear. I needed my problems and hurts rooted out of me. I needed healing.

After a while, I wanted for that person and those people that heard me, to fix and heal me. Without having to say it. I knew this is what it had come to, when I began looking at them like they were not enough. I began to feel like they were holding me back and down. The truth was, They were enough as humanly possible. They did all that they knew how to do from their position. However, I needed more than people. I needed Jesus Christ. I did not just need prayer. I needed a personal visitation from the Lord. I needed my own time with Him. I needed to spend time, broken before the Lord. I found out that He was the only one that knew how to piece me back together again. I could talk to Him, over and over and about the same issues, and He would not grow tired nor irritated. In fact, He was overjoyed to have me in His presence....sharing and receiving His love and healing touch.

Although people are a Blessing, so often. No one, not even the loves of our lives, can ever give us all that we need. No....people are not enough. People are flawed and can only help but so much. While God has given us one another for uplifting and comfort, He wants us to do so in His presence. This way, any burden and heavy weight that so easily besets us, we can lay it at His feet and not carry it.

Venting is relieving. We were not made to hold pain in. The word of God says:

"Casting all your care upon Him; for He careth for you." (1 Peter 5:7)

If you are venting to someone that does not know Jesus as their personal Savior, then the only thing that they can do is offer you an ear and advice that will not heal your soul. A praying friend is going to hear your cares, and touch the throne seat of Christ in prayer....mentioning you. Do not let your venting be in vain. Talk to people that trust in the Lord and believe in the power of prayer. Jesus knows those that trust in Him.

(Matthew 18:20)

For where two or three

are gathered together in

my name, there am I in the

midst of them.

If you do not know Jesus as your personal Savior, you will continue in the same pain and frustrations that He can make you free from. You cannot carry dead weight. Your friends cannot carry your burdens. They cannot even carry their own. Surrender them. Vent to Jesus for His goodness sake! Because He is good! He loves you! He is waiting and ready to answer your sincere call. Trust in Him and watch how He transforms your heart, mind and soul.

Raven