Bruises seem to be part of life’s package to us. (I think that when the order was set for me, I had a quota of 843 bruises to fulfill.) Some will be serious, others minor. But each are noted, and some will just have to be endured.

Dancers are some of the most wonderful people I know. Their gracefulness can be seen both on and off the stage. I know this is far from easy. By choosing to become dancers they have made a decision to absorb pain. Their toes and feet are blistered and bruised; they take constant abuse. Some must live with chronic tendinitis. They bleed sometimes, and pain is their constant companion.

And still they choose to dance. Dancers have an iron-will.

The scars and bruises often become “badges of honor”. And they wouldn’t have it any other way. They would rather dance in pain, than not to dance at all.

Someone once compared depression as a “mental bruise”. I understand this. As depressed people, we must choose to walk out our lives from this pain. I know what it is like to bury myself in my bed for several weeks. My own mental bruise was simply more than I could take. There was a sensation of sinking into blackness, a sense of total and complete despair.

I prayed. I groaned, and I prayed. My sense of being totally lost was beyond comprehension. Dear Reader, this was something quite real, and you must become aware of these things. Some of your friends are suffering. And it is a hellish and desperate depression.

To my Christian friends. Yes, I believe Jesus died for all my sins. He has forgiven me of much evil, I know that will live for eternity (with you). But mental illness is real, and like other illnesses it seldom is caused by evil or Satan. We would never say that diabetics are that way because of the enemy. Now the dark one will exploit it, but I think you give him far too much credit if you suggest he was able to initiate it. Satan just doesn’t have the spiritual “voltage”.

So, inspired by my dancing friends, and the Holy Spirit– I will make the choice to dance again. I’m pretty bruised, but I will try to ignore the pain. I would exult in my God, walk in His love, “leaping with joy like calves let out to pasture”.

“A bruised reed he will not break,     and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out, till he has brought justice through to victory.”

Matthew 12:20

ybic, Bryan

kyrie elesion. (Lord, have mercy on each of us).

Pastor Bryan Lowe

I truly love Jesus, who saved me from destruction. I am His, completely and totally. I have deep issues, but these only enhance His love for me.

You can follow Pastor Bryan here:

http://www.BrokenBelievers.com

http://www.CrossQuotes.org

www.PsalmsLife.com

Thanks Pastor Bryan, for adding your voice to Wounded ~ Healer ~ Warrior.  May the Lord Bless you and Keep you – Make His Face to Shine upon you and give you Peace.