“Laila, don’t go in!†I yell, as my friend opens the door of an abandoned hut in the hills. “You can’t.â€
Ignoring my pleas, she whispers, her dark eyes staring back at me, “It’s not what
you think. I have to, and you will too.†Within seconds, the door creaks shut behind her and is locked. I bang on the hut, calling her name, but there is no response. Prowling around, I realize there are no windows, only a sign: “The Hurting Room.”
“God, please let her come out of there,†I pray, wishing I’d understood her instructions. How long I wait, praying, heart thumping, I do not know. The door springs open. I step inside, but Laila has gone.
“Laila,†I call. “Laila. Are you in there?†No reply. I’m inside a charcoal room. My skin prickles and my head pounds. Then, surging inside, my body creaks with physical pain, every illness I’ve ever had manifests itself inside of me. Unable to think, nausea rising up inside, struggling to cope, the physical pain subsides.
Next, mental anguish wraps itself inside of me. Conversations bounce around the empty room. Tears from a time before fall again, and rage burns within until every emotion spins itself inside and outside of me.
“Make it stop—please stop!†I cry out, my voice shaking. “God, help me.†A bright light outshines the darkness. The charcoal gray transforms to yellow, then gold. I shield my eyes for a moment. My bruised skin is anointed with overflowing oil. The love swirling around me cancels out the pain and sadness.
“I will take your hurts, I will wear them like scars on my skin and transform you,†echoes the light. “Hurt no more. I was crucified to bring you life. I am He who heals.†For a few moments, or maybe hours, I lie in the presence of the Healer and don’t want to leave.
“Arise, be free,†whispers a voice in my soul. I stand up. Healed. The hut has disappeared. Laila stands next to me, a radiant smile on her face. • Cindy Lee
• Because we live in a world that has been broken by sin, we all experience pain and suffering. But Jesus died and rose again to bring us healing. When we come to Him with our pain, He grieves with us and turns our suffering into hope (Romans 5:3-5). Where do you need healing?
O Lord, if you heal me, I will be truly healed; if you save me, I will be truly saved. My praises are for you alone! Jeremiah 17:14 (NLT)
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