The pain grips my heart.
A familiar sting.
I've been here before. I've hurt like this before.
My friend has fallen into sin.
My heart breaks.
A ministry lies in ruin.
A church mourns.
Some give way to bitter anger.
"But not you, oh my heart, dwell not on angry, bitter paths.
Seek the Lord! Seek restoration! Oh, that my friend, with repentance, will seek and find forgiveness. May he again rejoice in the Lord. May he find favor in the One who bore sin."
Let my heart pray for this. May the church seek such things. Restore, oh Lord. Heal and renew. Let not bitterness find ground or root. Let us find our foundation in You alone. Be a balm in my pain. I seek You, oh Lord.