Taking out the trash

“Oh Lord my God, I cried to you for help, and you have healed me.” - Psalm 30:2

Have you ever had your neighbors’ trash blow into your yard on a windy day—plastic bags, silver wrappers, and cardboard boxes dotting your lawn?

When this happens, do you ever say, “It’s not my fault,” or, “I’ll show them,” and leave the trash in your yard?

Or do you go pick it up, because you care about yourself and your home?

As humans, a lot of our stories include other people’s trash.

Many of us have experienced trauma, pain, and mistreatment—even blatant injustice and abuse.

You’ve experienced these things to no fault of your own. It should not have happened, and God cares deeply about your pain.

But if we want to be healthy, wholehearted men, we have to take responsibility for our healing—for “picking up the trash” in our lives, so to speak.

This doesn’t mean blaming ourselves or denying our pain, but it does mean being willing to take an honest look at our stories, inviting God into the places of our deepest wounds, and seeking wise counsel—whether that’s therapy, spiritual direction, pastoral care, or a community of other men.

Are there any areas of your life where you are stuck in blame or bitterness? 

Who is that really hurting? 

Are you ready to invite God in and do what it takes to move forward?