He Knows Your Pain

"The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; and those who are crushed in spirit he saves." // Psalm 34:19

“I know you’re faking it,” my coach said as I sat on the sidelines at the soccer practice I had begged my parents to let me skip. I was around ten years old, uncomfortable in my own body, and I was, indeed, faking the injury that allowed me to sit out of practice that day.

I’m not proud of it, but my lack of coordination and athleticism gave me plenty of instances to make an injury believable, and my lack of confidence convinced me that I was better off on the sidelines.

I didn’t want to run behind my teammates that I couldn’t keep up with.

I didn’t want to be picked last for the scrimmage . . . again.

I didn’t want to exhaust myself trying to be good at what came so naturally to everyone else.

Now, as a twenty-three-year-old who isn’t any better at soccer, I still remember how the little girl with grass-stained knees felt that day: overlooked and utterly alone.

A few months ago, the familiar feelings of insecurity and shame swelled up in my heart while revisiting this memory. I decided to invite the Lord into this story. Soon after, I wasn’t met by a coach who I had disappointed or a team who would be better without me, but a Father Who knew my heart.

In this moment of prayer, I sat on the sidelines with the Lord as He wrapped His arms around me and gently whispered, “I know where it hurts.”

While it may seem easier to bring only our physical ailments to the Lord—He will always go deeper. He cares about every beat of our hearts and He knows every wound, even those we may try to keep hidden.

We don’t have to justify our wounds to be healed. We just have let Him in.

Sister, if your heart is wounded today—whether it be from childhood, false beliefs about yourself, or a recent event, I want to invite you to encounter the Lord in your own story. He is so close to the brokenhearted, and He will surely heal you, even years later.

Let Him in. // Kelsey DassanceClick to tweet

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About Kelsey Dassance

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Kelsey Dassance is a Michigan native and a strong advocate for iced coffee all-year round. She’s tried almost every sport at some point in her life, but prefers climbing mountains over anything else. She’s a big fan of sunshine, friendship, and Pope Saint John Paul II who encourages her to pursue great things without fear. She is a contributing author to Blessed Conversations: Dwell. Find out more about her here.