the hurt before the healing

Come, let us return. He has torn us into pieces; He has injured us. Come, let us return to the Lord. He will heal us; He will bandage our wounds. In just a short time, He'll restore us; in just a short time, He'll restore His church so we might live in His presence. O, that we might know the Lord! Let us press on to know Him. Let us press hard unto Him, and as surely as the coming of the Lord, He will respond!

While this is a song that Shane Bernard wrote, the lyrics come mostly from Hosea 6. I was talking with a friend yesterday about how God teaches us painful things. Sometimes, it seems like God enjoys teaching us painful things, but I know that's not the case. We are stubborn people who can't learn any other way. It is when I go through something painful that I most vulnerably run to the Healer. That's what He wants, right? He's wise. He knows what He's doing! For when I run to Him in those times, I do experience healing, and the things I learn from it are immeasurable. O, that I may know the Lord...that I may press hard unto Him, for HE WILL RESPOND!