There’s a kind of pain that doesn’t scream out loud. It hides beneath our busy lives, our well-crafted prayers, and even our faith-filled words. Deep down, we know something is off. We feel the tension. The tightness in our chest. The quiet sadness we can’t name. Maybe you’re carrying that today.
As a Christian and someone deeply passionate about emotional healing, I’ve learned something that changed everything:
Healing doesn’t begin when we try harder. It begins when we slow down, turn inward, and whisper one honest prayer: “God, show me what hurts.”
Emotional Pain Is Often Spiritual Pain
Many of the emotional struggles we carry—anxiety, anger, exhaustion, or resentment—are signals, not failures. They’re gentle alerts from the soul, often pointing to something unresolved. These may be wounds, unprocessed grief, false beliefs, or unmet needs.
God, in His kindness, doesn’t demand that we fix ourselves. Instead, He invites us to see ourselves through His eyes. That deeper vision only comes when we’re willing to ask Him to reveal what we’ve been hiding.
“Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you…” — Psalm 139:23–24 (NLT)
This isn’t a prayer of shame. It’s a prayer of bravery. Of partnership with the Holy Spirit, who knows us better than we know ourselves.
My Story: Carrying Pain in Silence
For a long time, I carried pain that I didn’t even know how to name. It wasn’t loud—it was silent, but it lived deep inside me. A quiet ache I tucked away behind smiles and productivity. Most of it came from my relationship decisions, especially becoming a single mom. Not once, but 3 times.
And while I love my children deeply, I carried this lingering weight: How did I get here again? What’s wrong with me?Did I miss God’s voice… or did He just stop speaking?
I didn’t talk about it much because I felt like I had to be strong. I had to keep going. But under the surface, there was guilt, disappointment, and a quiet grief for the life I thought I’d have.
It wasn’t until I sat with God and whispered, “Lord, show me what hurts…” that everything shifted.
The Holy Spirit gently took me back—not to shame me, but to help me see the broken pieces I’d been stepping over. The patterns. The pain I had internalized. The lies I believed about my worth, my future, and what I deserved.
And slowly, God began to heal what I had only managed to hide.
From Guilt to Grace
I share this because maybe you’re carrying something too. Perhaps it’s a decision, a season, or a silence. Maybe you’re showing up for everyone else while wondering if you’re disqualified from the promises of God.
But listen: You’re not disqualified. You’re being invited.
Invited into healing.
Invited into joy again.
Invited into that one prayer that changes everything:
“God, show me what hurts.”
Being in the Spirit Isn’t About Perfection
When we live in the Spirit, we become more sensitive—not just to others, but to ourselves. That’s why old wounds suddenly feel heavy again. Why unresolved moments rise to the surface. This is not regression; it’s revelation.
“But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth.” — John 16:13 (NIV)
The Holy Spirit isn’t just leading you into theological truth. He’s guiding you into the truth about you. About your heart, your healing, and the hidden places that need light.
The Miracle Begins When You Stop Running
You don’t have to be whole to come to God. You just have to be willing.
When you say, “God, I feel off and I don’t know why… show me,” something beautiful begins. He may uncover things you thought were buried for good:
- A memory you suppressed
- A false belief you accepted
- A pattern you’ve normalized
- A grief you never allowed
However, don’t be afraid. He reveals to heal. Not to shame.
“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” — Psalm 147:3 (ESV)
A Simple Prayer to Begin
Try whispering this:
“Holy Spirit, I give You permission to search me.
Show me what I’ve been afraid to see.
Reveal what I’ve ignored.
I want to heal.
And I trust You to walk with me.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
On the Other Side of This Prayer Is Breakthrough
Yes, it may feel uncomfortable. Yes, tears might come. But those tears are washing something away. Behind them, something new is being born:
- Freedom
- Wholeness
- Peace
“Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” — 2 Corinthians 3:17 (NIV)
Let’s Walk It Out Together
If this spoke to your heart, I created a free resource to help you process and pray through these moments:
📝 Download the “Faith & Focus: 7-Day Devotional”
A quiet space to reflect, surrender, and meet God where you are.
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Ready to go deeper?
Explore our bestselling guided journal:
Strength and Stillness. A beautiful space to release, reflect, and renew with God’s Word.
With grace and healing,
Eva – Faith & Flow
