Currently, I recognize that healing has its own timeline.
This truth is not new to me. I have my history of wounds, both physically and emotionally. I also have engaged with plenty of others who have navigated through brokenness, including my own child. https://stephaniejthompson.com/archives/1470 But sometimes the implications of healing don’t really register until they hit home. Hard.
A bad car accident in May catapulted me toward an unexpected path. Literally. My “new normal” means keeping my eyes focused on the goal of restoration of my broken body. And my spirit. As surgeries and therapies attempt to create a sense of wholeness, they also prompt me to ponder. What does healing really look like? Is there an official recognition of completion?
I think of the scriptural accounts of those those who sought healing from Jesus. But their narratives provoke me to ask questions. Was complete healing instant or did it continue as a life long process?
- The man with the withered hand (Mark 1:3-6)
- The man brought through the roof who walked away carrying his mat (Mark 2:1-12)
- Jairus’s daughter who is brought back to life (Mark 5:21-43)
- The Man in Bethesda who is restored from paralysis (John 5:1-18)
Certainly, there were many others whose bodies and spirits were transformed by Jesus’ touch. In addition, the words sozeria and soteria are Greek words that indicated big changes for these individuals: personally and systemic https://www.facebook.com/Phil4.8BrightHorizon/posts/thoughts-from-pastor-ben-cremer/1565453160460924/.
That truth is both empowering and scary. Trusting Jesus goes beyond a one time encounter. It means recognizing healing may be a long journey. Lots of going back and forth between rest and pushing ourselves to follow God’s calling into self proclaimed uncomfortable places. We must be cautious of leaning into voices of deceit that keep us from moving forward out of doubts and fear.
So I find myself in the company of others discerning how healing unfolds. But, at the same time, joining them in the determination to live out what Jesus’ touch unleashes: pointing to his new Kingdom wherever and however that looks.
This post is written for the Five Minute Friday Writing Community. Come join us! https://fiveminutefriday.com/
May you know know a renewed sense of determination to walk the path of healing to wholeness that God has set out for you. Thank you for your honesty and I pray that in this season you will be able to write with more insight and flow to connect with others who are in similar situations. God Bless Leisa
yes! I am thankful for new perspectives gained in new experiences.
Healing is a process,
and won’t be complete
until your freed soul crosses
the river and you meet
that shining Doctor face to Face,
and see His warm bright smile
which reflection was your grace
all the painful while
when you walked the Earthly roads
with bruises on your soul,
but now is time to shed the loads,
to let Him make you whole
with the loving gentle touch
you have longed for, oh, so much.
So good to read your wise poetic replies again. I literally was inhibited from writing for two months because of my brace after surgery. Glad to be interacting again.