My friend Wendy recently reminded me about how God heals. I needed to hear that. Bill has gone through seven traumatic months requiring serious physical healing. I have not been the patient in the hospital, but I was the other half of the equation, barely holding it together on the home front. Our days consist of countless clinical assessments, hospitalizations, and interactions with medical staff. In the background, I always feel a constant hum of exhaustion. Normal life often grinds to a halt, and all I can think of is pushing through the next day.
GOD WANTS TO DRAW CLOSE
Wendy reminded me of Ecclesiastes 3:1-8: “There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven.” Verse three includes, “a time to heal.” Modern technology can assess broken body parts, but broken spiritual hearts are more difficult to diagnose and to heal. God wants to draw close. “The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit” (Psalm 34:18). I have felt beyond crushed, and it is just catching up to me how deep the wounds are. “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds [healing their pain and comforting their sorrow]” (Psalm 147:3).
HE KNOWS ALL OUR DAMAGED PLACES
God is present when brokenness occurs, and He knows all our damaged and painful places. Pouring out my pent-up emotions, frustrations, and disappointments in prayer can cleanse even the deepest wounds. “O LORD my God, I cried to You for help, and You have healed me.” (Psalm 30:2) God makes a healing balm available for recovery: a daily prescription of reading Scripture lets God’s promises settle deep into m soul. “The Lord’s loving kindnesses indeed never cease, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning, great is Your faithfulness. The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, to the person who seeks Him.” (Lamentations 3:22-25)
HE IS NEAR
We are not alone. God is near, He hears our cries and faithfully responds. “The Lord is near to all who call upon Him, to all who call upon Him in truth.” (Psalm 145:18) Our circumstances may change, and progress can feel slow, but healing comes one way or another. I must lean on Jesus daily. “The Lord is my strength and my shield; My heart trusts in Him, and I am helped; therefore, my heart exults, and with my song I shall thank Him. (Psalm 28:7) To what degree God provides healing on this earth, I do not know. However, He will carry us through.
Don’t just push through the next day. “The Lord is near to all who call upon Him, to all who call upon Him in truth.” I sometimes whisper and sometimes scream His name. Jesus always promises to be near.