Those Annoying Wounds

It always amazes me how one tiny paper cut or one small crack in my dry skin can hurt so much and continue to affect my ability to focus.  Like a constant reminder of “I’m still here, creating just enough pain to get you off track.” 

This winter in Indiana has not been kind to my hands.  The bitter cold, harsh winds outdoors, and dry heat indoors, have created a number of painful cracks on my fingers.  So much so, that at times I have not been able to use a finger or hand because it caused too much pain.

Rather than take the time to treat it with ointment and medicating lotion, I lived with it.  And I let it get so bad that I was afraid it had become infected.  Finally, it became so painful that I had to lather it up with antibiotic ointment and bandage it.  At one point, I had 3 fingers bandaged up at once!   I remember lying in bed, sleepless, one night with throbbing fingers after treating them to the healing salve.  I guess the throbbing was a sign the antibiotic was doing it’s job.  By morning, the cracks were already improved.

The emotional wounds we live with can be like that. 

We say to ourselves, “It’s no big deal. 

I’ll be fine. 

Get over it. 

Move on.”

But layers of wounds later, we discover we are not fine.  We are being handicapped by our wounds.  And now, we can’t cope as well.  The little things turn into big things.  We have allowed the wounds to go unattended, and now they are affecting our ability to handle the next cut.  The next blow.

Layer upon layer until we simply implode, or explode.  Withdraw and stay in a shell of protection against future wounding.  Or unleash our fury at being wounded again on everyone around us.  Neither one is healthy or healing.

I’ve been accused of being too open, too transparent.  But this is the way I keep from imploding or exploding.  I talk to people I trust, or seek professional counseling.  

And I go to my Heavenly Father and spill it all.  He knows it anyway, but verbalizing it and expressing how I feel about it, provides healing.

So, that brings us to this morning, when on my knees before the Father, I had this vision of Jesus reaching down and rubbing salve into our wounds.  The wounds that maybe no one knows about but Him.  Or maybe the wounds that have been there for a very long time, scabbed over, but repeatedly re-opened, and are once again raw and bleeding.

I saw Jesus lovingly touch those wounds and apply generous amounts of healing salve to each one. 

I’ve experienced wounds, deep wounds.  But I’ve also experienced the healing salve of Jesus in my life.

So I prayed for Jesus to rub that salve into the wounds of the dear family members and friends who need healing from life’s wounding. 

For He is the ultimate healer.  

I can comfort, offer support and sympathy, but I can’t heal.  Only Jesus can.  

He knows the pain of rejection, scorn, physical abuse, loneliness.  All the things we experience, that wound us.  He knows and understands. 

And because He knows and has experienced the ultimate wounding and sorrow of dying a criminal’s death for us, we can be healed.

“When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats.  Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly.  He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed.  For you were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.”  I Peter 2:23-25

We need to come to the Shepherd.  Come to him broken and wounded, and allow Him to rub salve in our wounds.  To allow Him to lead us to a healing place.

That healing place may be a licensed counselor, a trusted friend, reconciliation, forgiveness, Celebrate Recovery, medication through a physician……  Jesus can use many methods to bring healing, but He is where we start.

When we recognize He is THE healing place, we will be able to lift our heads and praise Him.  We will be able to allow Him to touch OUR wounds with His healing salve.   

“Praise the Lord, O my soul; all my inmost being praise his holy name.  Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits–who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.”  Psalm 103:1-3

So, I challenge you to get down on your knees and ask for His healing salve to penetrate those wounds.  Maybe those wounds have been with you for a long time.  Maybe you have a fresh wound that just isn’t healing.  Go to Him and seek His touch and counsel.

Not just once, but continually come to Him for healing for your wounds, for His life-giving presence and Spirit to fill you and renew you. 

You.

Will.

Never.

Be.

The.

Same.

He will be a shield for you, your glory and the lifter of your head.

“But thou, O Lord, are a shield for me, my glory, and the lifter of my head.”  Psalm 3:3

Dear Heavenly Father,

I don’t know why you have put these words on my heart today, but I know there are wounds that disable us and keep us from living in Your Light and Joy.  I know some of my readers and dear friends and family are struggling with deep wounds that need your healing salve.  I pray they will come to You, the great physician, and allow You into those wounded places.  Thank you for sending your Son, Jesus, to be wounded for our sins and brokenness.  Thank you for speaking to me today and reminding me that it is through His wounds we are healed.  Be our shield, our glory and the lifter of our heads today and forever.

In Jesus’ Name,

Karen

Before you leave, listen to this song, He Knows, by Jeremy Camp.  What a beautiful reminder of the way He cares for us!