Have you ever hurt so deeply that the pain went beyond your heart to the very core of your being?   A pain so deep that you can feel its effects on each  individual organ in your body?  It is a level of pain for which even tears brings a source of relief.

This depth of pain comes when we experience loss, disappointment, rejection or betrayal of something for which we have given our very all – our heart and soul.  It could be the loss of a child, the betrayal of a spouse or abuse at the hands of an employer.  It cuts to the depth of our being because it is from there that we have given of  ourselves to these relationships.

Soul pain brings a sense of desolation because no other human knows our souls enough to accompany us to these deep places.  Many can bring words of comfort and minister to us but we are still left with a sense of isolation because the pain that we feel is unique to our soul being.

In this place, these words of Christ in Isaiah 61 come vigorously alive for me

…for those who grieve in Zion – to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness. A planting of the Lord for the display of His splendor.