Painful Sunburns

Oh, this Texas heat!  Last week, we had the opportunity to spend some time with family camping at a local lake.  We love camping- especially having boys as they just love biking, hiking, swimming, and cooking over a campfire.  This is all extreme fun for me, as well, unless it is nearing 100 degrees outside!  Oh, goodness..... the heat made it so intense that all activities seemed to take an extra effort.  The only logical thing to do when it is that hot is to swim.  So, each day, all the cousins spent at least a couple of hours in the lake cooking - um, cooling off.  Each time we would apply sunscreen at least once and sometimes twice depending on how long we were out in the water.  For my poor boys, with their ivory white skin, this is critical!  The crazy part is that as diligent as we were, each boy still came home with some sunburn.  Ouch!  Have you ever been sunburned?  The pain is so sharp and aches continually- it is not fun at all!  We have, in the days since, applied cool relief gel to their skin which helps. 

I thought about this over the last few days, and God spoke to my heart about emotional "sunburns" I have suffered.  Have you  ever had someone "burn" you emotionally?  Maybe a sharp word spoken or action that left you aching continually?  The memory of those events still causes a sharp pain within and you are left feeling so sensitive and vulnerable.  It is very similar to a physical sunburn, huh?  After a sunburn, if anyone touches you- even in a kind or caring fashion- extreme pain results.  Sometimes, after an emotional "burn" occurs, any kind of "touch" hurts and as time passes you are still sensitive and can easily anger from result of the pain within.  Through prayer, God's word, and the Holy Spirit a cooling, healing balm heals the ache of an emotional burn as well as time and tender care.

Have you been burned?  Do you find yourself lashing out at others due to being so sensitive?  Our Father longs to bring you healing and pain relief.  We were not meant to live in a state of sunburn.  Allow Him to apply His perfect healing balm to your ache and pain.  His perfect intimate knowledge of you allows Him to know exactly what is needed to soothe and heal.  Prevention is key when battling emotional sunburns....Daily we must apply a thick layer of sunscreen by studying His words, prayer and drawing closer to Him.  By doing so, we are able to walk through many difficult times without becoming burned. 

"As the sun went down that evening, people throughout the village brought sick family members to Jesus. No matter what their diseases were, the touch of his hand healed every one." (Luke 4:40 NLT)

No matter the pain, He is able to heal and restore.  Trust Him.  Today, do not live in the constant ache and discomfort of an emotional sunburn.  Turn to Him and allow His divine touch soothe and heal you!

Blessings!