Devotional
When we're hurting, our natural instinct is to seek the quickest relief possible. We want a pill to make the pain go away, a simple answer to fix our problems, or a band-aid solution to cover our wounds. But God operates differently. While we're looking for immediate relief, He's preparing to perform soul surgery that addresses the root causes of our pain. This divine approach can feel frustrating at first. Why doesn't God just give us the answers we're desperately seeking? The truth is, if He simply handed us solutions, we wouldn't grow through the process. We might not even believe or embody the answers He provides. Instead, God asks penetrating questions that invite us into deeper self-reflection and spiritual growth. The soul has hidden depths that require careful exploration. Just as a skilled surgeon must examine the full extent of an injury before operating, God needs to help us understand what's really happening beneath the surface of our struggles. This process takes time, patience, and trust. But the result is lasting healing rather than temporary relief - transformation that changes us from the inside out rather than just managing symptoms.

Bible Verse
'Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.' - Psalm 42:5


Reflection Question
Where in your life are you seeking a 'band-aid' solution when God might be calling you to deeper soul surgery?


Quote
"We want a band aid. He wants to do surgery. We want some Neosporin on a flesh wound. The reality is we need a tourniquet, we want a pill to make everything better when what we need is a heart transplant."

Prayer
Lord, give me patience to trust Your process of deep healing rather than settling for quick fixes. Help me embrace the soul surgery You want to perform.

*This devo was developed using Sermon Shots