A Prayer for Time to Bring Healing
by Chrystal Evans Hurst
“God has made everything beautiful for its own time.” Ecclesiastes 3:11a
Even when the source of our pain remains a source of constant heartache, time can bring a healing like no other. King Solomon, one of the wisest men to ever live, authored Ecclesiastes where he reminds us: “God has made everything beautiful for its own time" (Ecclesiastes 3:11a). Psalms 118:17 says, "… I will not die, but live, and tell of the works of the LORD" (NASB).
Simply put: If you just keep on living, you’ll be able to tell the story of how God has brought you through. Because one way or another, He always does.
With the passing of time, I’ve seen the deep pain I experienced equally matched by many moments of unexpected joy. And when I reached the end of all that was humanly possible, God’s worked through His never-ending power to make all things beautiful with time.
How is that possible? He’s changed me.
God in His goodness works to change us. He changes our perspective. He allows us to see what He sees … that even when things aren’t as perfect, easy, or as straightforward as we would like them to be … they still can be beautiful.
You or someone you love may have to live with the reality of an injury of the mind, body or soul. With all your heart, you might want to fix something and not be able to. That something or someone may never be perfect.
But you need to know time can bring healing. With time, God can take the hard moments and make them happy. He can replace sorrow with a smile. He can make the mountain of grief or regret you’re climbing now, into a place where you can later view the beautiful landscape of your life.
Not perfect, but beautiful.
God does bring healing in time. Take courage and hold on. And know that even from your pain, beauty can blossom. God makes everything beautiful in its time.
Dear God, if I’m honest, there are times where I feel deep pain. It’s hard to continue. There are no smiles. I don’t feel joy. Please help me trust You when it’s hard. Help me believe that, with time, You can make something beautiful of my life. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
*Editor’s Note: This devotional is an abridged version of Encouragement for Today’s “Time Brings Healing” by Chrystal Evans Hurst. To read the full devotional, follow this link.
Related Resource: When Life Unravels: Biblical Strategies for Hard Seasons
Few challenges stretch a parent’s faith and emotional reserves more than life’s unexpected curveball seasons—the plot twists that leave you wondering, “God, what are you doing?” How do you remain anchored in truth when the bottom drops out?
This week on Christian Parent/Crazy World, Catherine welcomes back her very first guest and trusted friend, Dr. Erin Barry, to help parents not only survive, but find hope and stability in life’s most turbulent moments. Dr. Barry is a clinical Christian counselor, author, homeschool expert, and co-founder of inseparableLives.com. Her biblically grounded wisdom comes from over 30 years of walking families through the storms of life.
In this transparent and practical episode, Catherine gets real about her own season of loss, uncertainty, and a series of shocking life upheavals—from parenting a prodigal, to family moves, to sudden job loss. Using these stories as a backdrop, Dr. Barry unpacks essential biblical strategies for clinging to faith and finding stability when life feels out of control. If this episode helps you be a more thoughtful parent, be sure to follow Christian Parent, Crazy World on Apple or Spotify so you never miss an episode!
Originally published Friday, 19 June 2020.
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