What Hurst The Lord, Should Hurt Us

 What Hurts the Lord Should Hurt Us

Scripture: 1 Peter 4:12–17
Luke 24:13–35 | Mark 5:25–34

A Lighthouse in the Storm

A lighthouse stands tall in the midst of storms, waves, darkness, and uncertainty. It does not move with the waves; it remains firmly planted, shining its light so that those who are lost can find their way.

God has called and chosen us to be light-bearers—not only in the world, but in our own homes and in the places He has entrusted to us.

We can declare by faith:

“As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”

But this cannot simply be words we speak. It must become a declaration lived out through our lives.

Jesus said:

“My house shall be called a house of prayer.”

Yet what happens when we take what is holy and turn it into something else?

Lights. Music. Stages. Audiences. Performances. Numbers.

None of these things are wrong in themselves, but when they replace the presence of the Holy Spirit, something sacred has been lost.

When sensationalism replaces the Spirit, when performance replaces surrender, and when entertainment replaces reverence, we have to stop and ask ourselves:

Have we become so familiar with God that we no longer recognize His presence?

The Lord walks among us, yet sometimes we are so busy, distracted, and involved with ourselves that we fail to recognize Him.

The disciples on the road to Emmaus experienced this very thing. Jesus Himself walked beside them, but they did not recognize Him until their eyes were opened.

How often does Jesus walk beside us, and we fail to notice?

People are coming from every walk of life. They are coming from near and far because they have heard what God is doing. They have seen testimonies. They have watched what others have shared. They are coming hungry, desperate, and searching for something only God can satisfy.

Like the woman with the issue of blood, their faith is reaching for Jesus.

And when they reach for Him, the Lord will meet them.

That should cause us to tremble—not with fear of people, but with reverence for the responsibility God has entrusted to us.

Not Just Words—A Heart Posture

Lord, make us good stewards of what You have placed in our hands.

Let it be more than words.

Let it be a heart posture.

More than emotion—give us an attitude of surrender.

More than numbers—help us see souls.

More than a platform—give us a place of service.

More than recognition—give us a desire for Your glory.

What if we stopped asking, “How many people came?” and began asking, “How many hearts encountered Jesus?”

What if we stopped measuring success by what people can see and began measuring it by what God is doing in the secret places of the heart?

We are not called to serve as hired hands waiting for a reward. We are sons and daughters who understand that our inheritance is not found in applause, recognition, or earthly rewards.

Our inheritance is in heaven.

When His Heart Becomes Our Heart

Lord, open our eyes.

Help us recognize Your presence.

Help us understand that what hurts You should hurt us too.

Give us a heart that grieves over what grieves You and rejoices over what brings You glory.

Teach us to approach You with willing hearts and faithful hands—not because we want to be seen, but because we love You.

Lead us toward holiness.

Change us from the inside out.

Remove anything in us that has become too comfortable with what should cause us to reverence You.

May our lives become lighthouses—standing firm when the storms come, shining brightly when darkness surrounds us, and pointing others toward Jesus.

And when people encounter us, may they not simply see lights, music, stages, or performances.

May they see Jesus.

And through everything we do, may the Father receive all the glory.

Father,

Open our eyes so we can recognize Your presence.

Forgive us for the times we have become too familiar with You and have lost our awe and reverence for what is holy.

Search our hearts and expose anything that has replaced surrender with performance, the Holy Spirit with sensationalism, and souls with numbers.

Teach us to be faithful stewards of everything You have entrusted to us.

Give us hearts that are willing to serve, hands that are faithful, and spirits that remain humble before You.

Let what hurts You hurt us.

Let what grieves Your heart grieve ours.

Lead us into holiness, Lord. Change us from the inside out, so that our lives will point others to Jesus.

May our homes, our churches, our ministries, and our lives truly become houses of prayer.

And when people come searching for You, may they encounter not a performance, but Your presence.

In Jesus’ name,

Ivette Diaz-Yee 

Spring 2026