Sharon Jaynes- I like instant. I like brewed coffee in a minute or less. I like microwaved leftovers in 45 seconds or less. I like instant text, instant online shopping, and instant movies at the click of a button. But sometimes healing takes time.
I’m not a fan of process, but would rather have immediate results. One of my favorite words in the New Testament is “immediately.” (Sharon's image)
- “Immediately they received their sight” (Matthew 20:34).
- “Immediately the leprosy left him” (Mark 1:42).
- “Immediately her bleeding stopped” (Luke 8:44).
Whether we’re talking about someone’s healing from the results of a bad decision, healing of violent childhood memories, or healing from a broken heart, healing takes time.
Healing begins by recognizing that a broken heart needs mending, a busted life needs repairing, the consequences of a regrettable decision need righting.
It starts with a decision to “get well”—to set the shattered bone of contention, to lance the festering boil of bitterness, to remove the rotting soul ache of resentment, to stop metastatic memories from spreading. Healing peeks through the birth canal of wholeness when we tell someone our story for the first time.
Because healing is a process, it usually happens through a series of steps or decisions. It’s not a sprint, but a marathon—one with potholes, bends in the road, and a few straightaways that build momentum. A process implies movement—a progression from one step to the next.
I grew up with a world of wounds from what went on in my home. I couldn’t wait to graduate from high school and get out of that house. The problem was, when I left, I took my memories with me. I was a Christian; I loved Jesus; but I was weighed down with anger and resentment for what my parents had done and what they had not done.
My healing came over time in layers of forgiveness, stages of shedding shame, and progressively learning to see myself as God saw me. Just when I thought I was in the clear, God would reveal another closet of my heart that needed cleaning out.
When we have a physical wound, the need for attention is obvious. We sew up the cut, bind the break, bandage the burn. Then we douse the injury with medicine and wait for it to heal. Once a scar has formed or the bone has set, we know the body has repaired itself. The area may still be tender for a while, and it might take some time before we stop being mindful of it, but the wound is closed, and a healthy scar remains.
But when we are wounded emotionally, it’s not quite that straightforward. We can’t see the wound, so it often goes unattended, festering and spreading infection into our thoughts and relationships. Time does not heal all wounds, especially wounds of the heart. They may lie dormant for a season, but triggers poke them with the hot iron of remembrance that lets us know they’re still there.
Forgiveness begins with a decision, but there is also a process that follows. The mind and the emotions don’t always move in tandem. Emotions tend to lag behind. Even when we make a sincere decision to forgive, it might take a while for our emotions to catch up.
So if you have made a decision to forgive, but your feelings are lagging behind, don’t beat yourself up or think that you haven’t truly forgiven. Simply keep reminding yourself that you have forgiven the person who hurt you, and eventually your emotions will catch up to your obedience.
Let's pray with Sharon-
Oh God, [we] really want to let go of this pain from the past. When triggers bring it up again, help [us] to remind [ourselves] that [we] have already let it go and placed it at Your feet. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Our Ambassador to Israel, Michael David Evens' comments:
Hebrews 11:24-27 "Moses . . . refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompense of the reward. By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible."
"Even when we cannot see God at work He is still there. Prayer works even when we do not see immediate evidence of it." [Michael David Evens]
466- Prov. 10:12 "Hatred stireth up strifes: but love covereth all sins."
~ Sharon Jaynes- [These are] "truths in Scripture about who I was, what I had, and where I was (my position) as a child of God. I had read those verses scattered throughout Scripture before, but when encouraged . . . to cluster them together into one list, God began a new work in my heart.
You are a saint.
You are chosen.
You are dearly loved.
You are holy.
These truths were right there on the pages of my Bible in black and white and a few in red.
You are reconciled through Christ’s life.
You are justified by Christ’s blood.
You are free from condemnation through Christ’s death
You have the mind of Christ.
You can do all things through Christ."
~ As born-again children of God, when we think of all the gifts He has given us, may we love him because of Who He is, not because of His generosity. We also have the promise of eternal bliss beyond the grave! May we love the Lord now, not for the blessings, but for His warm embrace.
Today's guest post-
Cindy Sproles-
This past year of Covid-19 has taken a toll on us all. Our lives have considerably shifted, and for the first time in over 200 years, we are being told what we can do and what we can’t. Some get defensive, others become submissive, and still others simply walk the path. It has been a year that has mentally, physically, and spiritually sucked us dry."
The North Country Christian Fellowship Center Churches,
located in the St. Lawrence county of NY,
broadcast their Sunday services at 10 or 10:15
You can view past services too.
Awesome post Jean
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