Inter-faith healing service planned
Throughout the year and especially during the holiday season, individuals underscore the impact of healing and forgiveness to their life situations.
People for the most part are resilient. They experience traumas and relational stress and they press on without the thought of deep and spiritual healing from their situations.
Those unresolved or unattended feelings of being unforgiven or harboring anger or pain keeps individuals “off track,” not feeling quite right with their lives and unconnected to the idea of absolution and grace from God.
Over time, struggling individuals work to wall off negative emotions and in turn wall off the power that a foundation in faith can give them. The wounded create the rationale that they are meant to struggle and suffer anger, depression and lack of satisfaction.
Finally, some turn away from God completely feeling that the church has abandoned them or that they are disconnected. They resign themselves to the fact that they are damaged and their guilt, shame or anger is somehow a fact of their ongoing life. They continue forward with an emptiness, wounded spiritually and unable to reach out to others for love and support.
But God had no intention that we should suffer in our life walk. The message of God’s son is clear, “Come to me, all of you who work and have heavy loads. I will give you rest (Matthew 28) … We know that God makes all things work together for the good of those who love Him and are chosen to be a part of His plan (Romans 8:28).
On Dec. 15 at 7 p.m., Trinity Lutheran Church will conduct an inter-faith service devoted to healing, forgiveness and grace. The evening will be a time for those searching for forgiveness and those working to forgive others. It is a time to take the hand of Jesus and return to be alongside their Father. It will be a time for contrition, connection and rebirth. For friends, family, and support personnel, it is a time to gather strength, clear your mind and establish resolve. For our community, it is a time to pray for all those who are hurting, lost and confused.
Dec. 15 will be a breath of fresh air in the scurry of the holidays and allow some private peaceful intimacy with our Lord and Savior. Please join us in a time of reflection, prayer, forgiveness, hope and healing.
If you have any questions, contact the Rev. Chuck Foerster at cfoerster@tlcmidland.org, or Kurt W. Faust at kurt@coachstepup.com
Kurt W. Faust of Midland is the Walk Strong outreach coordinator and president of S.T.E.P. UP (Success Through Education and Positive Coaching).