Sometimes there are no words

^{Genesis 43:29-30 NIV}

²⁹ As he looked about and saw his brother Benjamin, his own mother’s son, he asked, “Is this your youngest brother, the one you told me about?” And he said, “God be gracious to you, my son.” ³⁰ Deeply moved at the sight of his brother, Joseph hurried out and looked for a place to weep. He went into his private room and wept there.

Sometimes the greatest struggles we face are internal. They show up when we think we have conquered our fears. They surface when life seems to present the possibility of hope. Other times when we think we can handle no more, a wound is reopened and the pain is astonishing. The story of Joseph and his brothers is one of those moments.

Hated, betrayed, and abandoned to the Ishmaelites, Joseph's road to Egypt was filled with tragedy. Around every turn was another temptation or challenge. As he conquered one, another one surfaced. Finally as the road ended in Egypt, Joseph was vindicated by being given a role of high authority in Pharaoh's house. Enter his brothers. A famine had swept Egypt and threatened to kill a majority of its inhabitants. Jacob-Joseph's father- had sent 10 of his sons to Egypt to get food. Unbeknownst to them, they stood before their brother Joseph, whom they had sold into slavery several years before. Joseph was being called upon to literally save his family. Which left him in such a quandary.

Most of life is like this. There is absolutely no question that we are all wounded. Someone somewhere has done something that has scarred us. And we have moved forward, we have advanced, and yet it only takes a moment to tear the wound wide open again. Maybe its a party or an email. Maybe a phone call or a movie. Whatever it is it takes us by storm and in the midst of our agony all we can do is escape to a "private room and weep there."

There is no shame. There is no offense. You must do it. Nothing heals the wounded soul, like the salt of tears. So cry if you must. Steal away and find solace in the arms of a Savior who loves you so much. Who understands the impact of wounds inflicted by loved ones. But who has learned the truth about forgiveness. May you find peace there.

Soli Deo Gloria