Daily Devotion Chat

Hiding the Limp 

Written by Cowboy Evangelist Rev. Joseph Holmes

Produced by H C Cowboy Ministries

Scripture Focus: Psalm 34:18 (KJV) — "The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit."

Good morning everyone I want to apologize for not getting my devotion out yesterday we have been so busy and now we have more babies foal so that 3 now we have 2 fillies and 1 colt. An we made it past another Monday so lets give thanks to our Lord and savior Jesus Christ for giving us another day, and I hope God bless you all today. So the devotion this morning has been on my heart for a few days now and I think it is something we all can relate to at one point in our lives and I believe many still do.

In the cowboy world, we are taught a very specific rule from the time we are old enough to walk: you do not complain. If you get bucked off, you dust yourself off get up and get back on, and get right back in the saddle. We pride ourselves on being tough COWBOY TUFF. But the danger of that mindset is that it often bleeds right over into our souls.

There are so many cowboys, cowgirls, and hardworking folks out there right now who are walking around with a smile on their face. They tip their hat, they shake your hand, and they tell everyone, "I'm doing just fine." But the truth is, the moment they are alone in the cab of their truck, or on there horse somewhere off by there self checking cattle or fence the smile completely drops. Inside, they are fighting a suffocating depression. They feel utterly worthless, exhausted, and sad all the time. They are carrying a crushing weight, but they are terrified that if they actually ask for help, people will think they are weak.

Out on the ranch, if a good horse steps on a sharp stone and bruises his hoof, he will often try to hide the limp because he is a loyal animal that just wants to keep working. But a seasoned horseman knows that if you keep riding a horse that is hiding a limp, eventually that horse is going to break down completely. You cannot doctor a wound that you refuse to look at.

The Lord works the exact same way. Jesus never asked you to put on a fake smile and pretend you have it all together. Look at what King David wrote in Psalm 34. He did not say that God is close to the tough guys who never cry. He said the Lord is close to the brokenhearted. The only way to overcome that deep, hidden depression is to finally stop pretending you are okay. You have to take off the mask, step into the light, and bring your brokenness to the only One who can actually heal it.

Now let me say this if there is someone today who is completely exhausted from faking it. You have been carrying a heavy sadness for months, maybe years, and you are trying to hide it behind a smile. You feel worthless and you are just about ready to break down. Stop trying to tough it out on your own. I invite you today to drop the act. Give your heart to Jesus Christ right now. Surrender that heavy load of depression to Him. Let the Master wrap His arms around you, heal your broken spirit, and give you a joy that you do not have to fake.

Lets Pray,

 Father, we come to You today asking for Your deep comfort. Lord, I lift up the man or woman reading this right now who is wearing a fake smile to hide a broken heart. You see the tears they cry when no one else is looking. Break through their pride and their fear. Give them the courage to bring their depression and their feelings of worthlessness straight to Your feet. Heal their minds, comfort their souls, and restore true joy to their lives today. In Jesus' name, Amen.

So I want to ask you this question think of it as the question of the day that you have to answer to your self. Who are you trying to fool with that fake smile, and are you finally ready to let the Trail Boss heal what is really hurting?

 Let us remember that. "You cannot doctor a wound you refuse to show. Take off the mask and let the Master do His healing work."