You believe God can do anything but fail, know him to be a healer, stand on the Word of God and effortlessly recite scriptures like you wrote them yourself. Yet, somehow you find yourself frequently visiting the altar, calling prayer warriors and seeking God for the same emotional or inner healing that you’ve laid before the Lord time and time again. Ask yourself, what’s sabotaging my healing?
The healing process
Consider this (and I preface this by noting that I have no medical background, just a bit of research) when you are physically injured their are four phases of healing that must occur: hemostasis (blood clotting stage), defensive/inflammatory (cleansing stage) proliferative (renewing stage) and maturation (strengthening stage). Each phase is critical and must occur in order for complete healing to happen—which can take anywhere from 21 days to two years. While we hope for a smooth and speedy recovery, at times things can occur to interrupt the process causing setbacks that can slow or prolong healing.
Let’s examine this spiritually.
Much like with a physical wound, when inner healing is taking place, you must be careful of what and who you are exposing yourself to. You have to know when to cover and uncover yourself. You have to apply the ointments (Word of God) designed for that type of wound—is it reminiscent of a deep cut or a surface abrasion. Furthermore, just like you have to be aware of how you operate the part of the body where a physical wound lay to avoid pain or any disruption to the healing that’s attempting to occur, spiritually you have to be careful how you allow people to operate in your life.
The stages of healing that I find most fascinating are the defensive/inflammatory and proliferative stages. The defensive stage is when bacteria and debris is being removed. It’s also when you may experience the most pain and when the wound may look it’s worse. The proliferative stage, which follows the defensive stage and occurs after the wound has been cleaned out, is when the wound begins to rebuild new tissue. It’s when that once destroyed skin starts to become new again.
So think about that for your life and for your own healing. In order for you to reach newness, for change to take place and before you can operate effectively, there are some old and toxic things that have to be removed. And, while it may be a painful and ugly period, there is beauty, greatness and destiny awaiting.
During a time of healing, it’s important to guard yourself from hearing, seeing and even speaking certain things. This may require you to stop opening yourself up to people, “situationships” and environments that can compromise your healing. This may mean shutting down your social media pages for a while, declining some opportunities, dates and girls or guys nights out. In fact, it’s possible that you may have to remove yourself from your “best friend” or “prayer partner.” While some people may appear to be your “confidant” and have your back, they may actually be what I term “bottom feeders.” These are the people that don’t want to see you come out of that place of lowliness. They feed off of your lack of growth and your inability to overcome. As long as you are down (a little more than them) it makes them feel elevated when in fact, they are gripped with their own issues stemming from a need of inner healing.
What stage are you in?
What stage of healing are you in and what are you allowing to interrupt your healing process? Is your mind and heart prepared for healing to properly occur? Just like physical wounds need a certain level of care and have to be covered and properly nurtured, so do inner wounds. Spiritually, are you even ready and willing to accept the fact that you’ve been hurt by something or someone? For some, it’s a hurt that you’ve been trying to ignore, cover up, avoid or suppress for years.
Psalms 147:3, “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” Allow God to heal you. I’ve experienced hurt and disappointment, a broken spirit, destroyed self-esteem and my light has been dimmed. Yet, as I share in my blog “Broken but not Destroyed,” I had to embrace my healing to receive my peace and that meant actively making some changes while God worked on me.
I sincerely pray that for those reading this and desire healing—even for those unspoken hurts and disappointments—that your healing will begin to take place today. Embrace what God wants to do in your life and know that their is purpose tied to the pain that you experienced.
Shauna Shops 
Awesome message. Enjoyed it immensely. Even as old as I am, still learning some things. Thanks Shauna
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you so much!!! I’m so glad you enjoyed it and as always, I greatly appreciate your encouragement!! ❤️
LikeLiked by 1 person