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“What is truth?”
I heard a shocking statement that impacted my life. I heard it so frequently that I determined to investigate its validity, “a family is as sick as its secrets.” It provided me the courage to begin unraveling my family of origin’s emotional pain accumulating from the impact of America’s Great Depression, WWII, the Prohibition Era, alcoholism, and narcissism. I discovered my parents’ unprocessed struggles had transferred to their children, my generation. Identifying the pain, wise counsel, and grieving allowed me to release it.
Hearing of a recent death in the extended family and the tragedy of this individual’s broken life and relationships stirred in me a mixture of anger, grief, and loss creating a type of emotional paralysis. I decided I needed truth from the source of all truth, Jesus Christ, so I could know how to navigate those emotions.
Pilate’s quizzical question at Jesus’ inquisition, “What is truth?” had the potential to haunt my own heart if I had not known that the answer was Jesus, the One who came from the Father full of grace and truth (John 1:14b) and who spoke, “I am the way and the truth and the life” (John 14:6).
Jesus also promised the Holy Spirit, another Counselor, the Spirit of Truth, (John 14:16-17) to be with me forever. I trust both Jesus and the Holy Spirit to counsel me in truth. They are constantly available for processing the grief and anger of a life that might have been lived differently. They also offer wisdom for speaking truth in love if asked, so that the mysterious wounding of one generation does not continue to pass to the next.
Father, thank You for guidance in understanding the joys and challenges of family relationships. I ask Your Holy Spirit continue to reveal truth for healing. May Your grace guide me in receiving, unraveling, and processing any brokenness that is desperate for Your gift of redemption. Guide me in resting in the grace of Your love, presence, and redeeming mercies for all that might enter my world. May You be gloried in every way. I offer to You the prayer of Psalm 79:8, “Do not hold against us the sins of the fathers; may your mercy come quickly to meet us, for we are in desperate need.” In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.
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