The road to healing takes longer than we anticipate, or desire, as many might have noticed since Covid.
As a blind person, I’m quite aware of how quickly people desire to be healed of aches and pains considered to be a disability while seemingly unconcerned about headaches, wearing glasses, sprained ankles, or blowing more snot in a week than they weigh.
I’m not sure if they are aware God also heals people’s mental, emotional, and spiritual parts, as He wills, so He may be glorified.
He does.
Healing takes time while miracles are instantaneous.
Surgery
Healing from a surgery provided the perfect example of how long it can take, plus more.
Much swelling and tenderness remained from my surgery the week before, making packing for my trip more difficult. Every garment had to be looked at and analyzed.
Searching for loose, stretchy materials would ensure less pain and discomfort. Whatever was chosen had to hide my bandages to prevent questions. They had to remain unseen regardless of how I moved.
I feared they might catch a glimpse of the stretchy clear tape holding a large rectangular piece of gauze to my flesh where my 3-inch incision lay. The gauze concealed steri-strip tape covering stitches to prevent infection.
When my stitches were removed, the doctor informed me the larger scar hid another layer of stitches, which would dissolve naturally over time.
Two smaller incisions requiring stitches also were covered nearby. the stitches on the end poked through, making me itch from time to time.
Every level of bandages fell off or were removed over time as each part was healed.
If not in the medical field, how would you know. . .
- so many layers were necessary for healing?
- the parts closer to the surface would heal quicker while those deeper within would take longer?
- some parts had to be exposed before healing could begin??
It was then I realized how in our instant society, we expect healings to come immediately. We forget swelling, pain and soreness are part of it.
If we remember, we push them deeper into the recesses of our soul to -avoid the pain associated with healing.
Trust is hard, trusting man is harder, and trusting God is the hardest.
Limitations
Initially after surgery, I slept more often than not. Movement was limited and strength kneel. Propping your body in precarious positions with pillows for comfort and rest was a necessity. Restrictions were given until seen by the doctor.
Within weeks, restrictions were lifted, swelling left so did the pain and discomfort. Energy and full movement returned. Sleep became normal again, and clothes fit the same as they did pre-surgery.
The revealed scars were smooth and flat, but stay hidden from the rest of the world, unless I chose to share.
Every now and then I bump the normally forgotten sensitive area, instantly reminding me of a previous issue in my body requiring healing God so graciously gave.
God is there to heal all hurts, buried or obvious – ones like:
• Insecurities
• abuse or neglect
• harsh words
• rejection
• feelings of failure
– confused identity
– bad relationships
Everyone carries hidden hurts until God exposes them to us through His Word or through a Christian.
We might fool others, but not ourselves, or God. We may forget for awhile after the initial hurt, but situations in life will serve as reminders until we allow God to heal us.
No matter the size, no matter how long the pain has resided in your body or mind, God can heal you.
Just surrender and trust Him today!
This road to healing reduces pain from swelling, gives energy back, and removes the bandages one layer at a time. Eventually, if continuing to trust, God will heal you completely.
Healing
The scar won’t go away. It will serve as a sign of God’s healing.
Whether your scars were a result of another’s hand or poor choices you made, the results are the same.
God can heal you so you can give a testimony of how He
- stayed beside you in your pain
- faithfully tended your wounds,
- never ignored your pain
- cleaned out all infection
- wrapped His loving arms around you
- placed a hedge of protection over and around you
- did a mighty work in your heart, drawing you closer to Him
Each step of healing builds more trust in the Almighty. Yes, life would have been easier without the wounds, or less painful if left untouched, but with healing came many rewards and gains of another kind.
© 2024, Jena Fellers. All rights reserved.
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