The Official Writing Challenge
BACK TO
CHALLENGE
MAIN
INSTRUCTIONS
how it works
submission rules
guidelines for
choosing a level
ENTRIES
submit your entry
read current entries
read past entries
challenge winners
Our Daily Devotional HERE
Place it on your site or
receive it daily by email.


TRUST JESUS TODAY

  • Share
  • how it works
  • Submit
Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: ARTIFICIAL (08/11/16)
Slowly I hung up the phone and stared out the window. The sky was red, gold and yellow, with soft white clouds floating over the horizon. One of the clouds was close enough to reflect the sunlight. It appeared to have a golden halo surrounding it. I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything quite as beautiful as a sunset. Tears began to well up in my eyes. I used to love the sunset but recently I have been unable to find joy in the beauty it offers. I lost my husband of fifty-two years a few weeks ago and the setting sun reminds me the sun has sat on our lives together – forever.


I closed the blinds and began filling the dishwasher. The pain in my heart was so severe I could hardly breathe. It’s something I lived with every day. The last thing I thought of at night and the first when I opened my eyes in the morning. People were pleasant when unavoidably in my presence but quickly moved on. I wanted to talk about my pain, it seemed to help some, but I could see it made others uncomfortable. The phone calls were short usually just a “thinking about you,” and visits were nonexistent.


I cried a lot, prayed a lot and walked the floor a lot. I questioned every relationship I had. I began to think no one was genuine, that their acts of kindness were artificial gestures. I cried out to God from the depths of my being but nothing changed. It took weeks before I began to respond to God’s leading. It was then I realized God was using my pain to heal old wounds. Wounds I had nourished for years all the while claiming faith in God and acceptance of His will in my life.


It takes pain to produce change. If a perceived offense is nurtured, it will grow into a root of bitterness. Once the offense has produced bitterness, the only way it can be destroyed is to pull it out by the roots. When it gets to this point, God will have to remove it. This action can be intensely painful.


For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world. 1 Corinthians 11:31-32 (KJV)


As believers, we can avoid God’s judgement by judging ourselves. Simply forgiving the offender will put an end to the matter. If allowed to grow unchecked, eventually the bitterness will consume its host. God will judge His people.


For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. Hebrews 10:30-31 (KJV)
The opinions expressed by authors may not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com.
If you died today, are you absolutely certain that you would go to heaven? You can be right now. CLICK HERE

JOIN US at FaithWriters for Free. Grow as a Writer and Spread the Gospel.
This article has been read 528 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Larry Whittington
08/21/16
You are a new person birthed by pain. As a new person you will discover yourself by talking or writing. Both may be necessary sometimes writing is easier because an ear may be harder to find than an eye.

Well written but some emotions still hidden by pain. Write with the inner emotions that need released that the pain may turn into revealed memories of the pleasant days.
linzy bruno 
03/10/19
I really enjoyed your article regarding pain and that there is actually value in it. I appreciate the reminder and the way you have presented this tricky and confusing topic.
I give "The Value of Pain" an A+ rating. Thanks for writing and sharing!


Linzy Bruno