We are hurt by pain and healed through pain. Like Jesus who, for the joy set before Him, endured the cross, put off the shame and sat down at the right hand of God the Father (Hebrews 12:2), we must endure if we want to heal and find true joy. Having experienced so much of the Father’s unrelenting grace in my life, I am passionate about helping others find hope and healing for hurts of their own. Pain can only be pushed aside and pushed down for so long before it comes bubbling up and over, and begins to permeate every area of our lives. Getting to the other side of it takes recognition and courage. Not everyone wants to be healed. In fact, in the gospels, Jesus was known to ask the question, “Do you want to be healed?” (John 5:6) Just because He is capable of healing the hurt in our hearts doesn’t mean He will. He wants our willful participation. He wants our trust in His timing and ability. He wants our faith to see past the mountain of pain that stands in our way. Healing is hard work. Are you willing?