January 23 - Haran

Have you ever felt stuck because of something that happened in life? 

 

Maybe it was the loss of a loved one, or maybe a job that fell through when you thought it was the dream job that you would have with you forever. . . 

 

Or maybe a sickness left you or a loved one in the middle of a life that you never imagined. 

 

We all go through things at times that can try to stop us in our tracks. . . . 

 

But what if us stopping and never recovering, means that we are essentially missing out on the biggest blessing we could ever imagine? 

 

There is a great story in Genesis 11 about Abram’s father. I want to read it for just a moment. 

 

Genesis 11:27-32

 

This is the account of Terah’s family line. 

 

Terah became the father of Abram, Nahor and Haran. And Haran became the father of Lot. While his father Terah was still alive, Haran died in Ur of the Chaldeans, in the land of his birth. Abram and Nahor both married. The name of Abram’s wife was Sarai, and the name of Lahore’s wife was Milkah; she was the daughter of Haran, the father of both Milkah and Isiah. Now Sarai was childless because she was not able to conceive. 

 

Terah took his son Abram, his grandson Lot son of Haran, and his daughter-in-law Sarai, the wife of his son Abram, and together they set out from Ur of the Chaldeans to go to Canaan. But when they came to Harran, they settled there. 

 

Terah lived 205 years, and he died in Harran. 

 

Terah had three sons - Abram, Nahor, and Haran. 

 

But while he was still alive, his son Haran died. I can’t imagine what it is like to be a parent who loses a child. This must be so difficult. 

 

I’ve talked with parents over the years who have had a child die, and their hurt and pain is ongoing! But they all tell me how every little thing reminds me of their child. It’s hard to have holidays without the entire think taken up by thinking of their child, or its hard to watch certain shows, hear different sounds and music, or even eat certain foods. Everything is a reminder of them. 

 

Now Terah was on a journey. It must have been so hard knowing that his son Haran had died. 

 

But listen to what it says there were traveling to. 

 

Terah took his son Abram, his grandson Lot son of Haran, and his daughter-in-law Sarai, the wife of his son Abram, and together they set out from Ur of the Chaldeans to go to Canaan.

 

Ok, what is Canaan? 

 

It is what will soon be called the promised land. 

 

Terah was already headed there before God ever promised it to Abram. How amazing is that? Terah was headed to the promised land! 

 

So why did he stop? 

 

Listen to the next part. 

 

Together they set out from Ur of the Chaldeans to go to Canaan. But when they came to Harran, they settled there.

 

Why did he stop and not go to Canaan?

 

Well because he came to Harran. 

 

Now I know they are spelled differently and have a little different of a pronunciation. 

 

But imagine for a second what was going through Tera’s head as he traveled through Harran. 

 

I can tell you right now, having talked with parents who have lost a child - the city of Harran, would have reminded them of Haran. 

 

See, sometimes we go through things and they are so heavy that they keep us from moving forward. We get stuck in a place waiting for the hurt and pain to go away. But it never does. 

 

This is why it is so important to be real with how you feel. If you don’t find ways to process grief and frustration, one day you find yourself headed to the promised land, but settling for a reminder of what was. 

 

I know hurt has different ways of manifesting throughout a person’s life. I also know that not all grief is handled the same way. But I also know, how you feel is real! And if you don’t address it, it will control you. You have to find ways to process hurt, pain, let-downs, disappointments, trauma. 

 

The healthiest thing you can ever do, is to be real with how you feel. To simply sit down and admit what is going on and how you feel because of it. And even better, being able to express this to someone else. If you can do that, you will find ways to work through the way you feel, and even come out stronger on the other side! 

 

I don’t know who this is for, but whatever it is you are walking through - take the time to stop and evaluate why you feel the way you do. It’s the first step toward healing. If you will stop and be real with how you feel, it is more likely that you will end up in a land filled with milk and honey. 

 

Look, 

 

Whatever you are facing has real feelings and emotions attached to it. 

 

Don’t breeze past that. 

 

Take the time to stop and evaluate how you are feeling. 

 

Let God heal you

 

And when he does, 

 

Let him lead you to a place of rest. 

 

I don’t know who this is for, But I’m praying that God frees you from the hurt that you carry. Be healed in Jesus name. Walk in freedom, as you follow God’s hand of blessing. . . . .