Healing Takes Time

Every now and then I have flash backs to a time of sickness or a surgery that I experienced first hand. Just this week, I’ve experienced both as my son had an accident with a machete and cut his foot really bad. He’s on the road to healing now with 13 stitches, bandages, tetanus shot and antibiotics. My wife had surgery and is in the process of healing over the next 6 weeks. Healing takes time, but I’m so thankful that they are healing and it’s noticeable in the first few days.

Moses gave the Israelite people instructions regarding purification after childbirth. Check this out…

1 The Lord said to Moses, 2 ‘Say to the Israelites: “A woman who becomes pregnant and gives birth to a son will be ceremonially unclean for seven days, just as she is unclean during her monthly period. 3 On the eighth day the boy is to be circumcised. 4 Then the woman must wait thirty-three days to be purified from her bleeding. She must not touch anything sacred or go to the sanctuary until the days of her purification are over. (Leviticus 12:1-4 NIV)

The Lord was very specific about being clean when people entered into His Presence. There were purification instructions given when dealing with dead animals or even being part of funerals of family. Looking back it seems really cold and hard. When Jesus came this is one of the areas that changed dramatically as well. When Jesus died on behalf of all humanity, there was no longer any need for the priest to go to the Lord on my behalf. I have direct access to God because of Jesus. I no longer have to participate in rituals such a purification ceremonies. I have direct access to the Purifier Himself.

A physical wound can take time to heal, depending on the nature of the injury or trauma. Some physical injuries like a simple cut can heal in days, while some surgeries take weeks or months to heal. An emotional wound can take a long time to heal, depending on the depth of the relationship. I do think that there are proactive steps that I need to take for healing to take place. I have to work at bandaging the wound – physically it may require some medicine while emotionally it may require some wise counsel. A wound that is not cared for can turn into a major event – even death. I would be wise to do my part in preparing for the healing to take place.

Healing does take time, but there are things I can do to help with the healing. I can keep the wound clean and dry. I can protect it from re-injury. I can take antibiotics too. It’s fairly easy to see how emotional healing takes work on my part as well. I must forgive and surrender to the wise counsel of others. I must let go of my agenda and embrace the hope that healing gives. I must be proactive and pursue God’s heart in order to heal my own heart. It’s not a quick fix, but an eternal fix for sure.

Pressing On!

Dwayne