Wounds

“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. He determines the number of the stars and calls them each by name.” (Psalm 147:3-4 NIV)

Regardless of how good our lives might be at a given time, there is no denying we live in a hurting world filled with wounded people.  Recently, I have become aware of tragic events affecting students’ lives—parents deciding to end their marriages, parents with serious illnesses, and friends dying.  And then there are the self-inflicted wounds—alcohol and drug use leading to thoughts of suicide, over-commitment leading to excessive stress, and choosing the comfort and excitement of romance over a relationship with God.  

Woundedness, whether from others or self-inflicted, is painful and affects our relationships with everyone, especially God.  When we are wounded, our tendency, more often than not, is to run from God, to seek our own solutions and healing.  

My late father-in-law hated to go to the doctor.  He preferred to treat himself.  One time he had a very sore leg.  He took a pain reliever, but after a couple hours without relief, he took more.  After a few days, he became very disoriented and was hospitalized.  He had overdosed on the pain relievers.  Trying to treat our own wounds is not often very wise.  We need the wisdom of others who know what they are doing.

We have a God who created the universe, knows the number of stars and planets and has named them all.  Scientists have concluded there are billions of them.  Think about that.  This is the God who also can heal our wounds.  He can make our broken hearts whole again.  He does not promise a pain-free life, but when we suffer pain from deep wounds, He can heal us.  But we have to go to Him in order for healing to be achieved.

I recently heard the testimony of a man trapped for years in drug addiction.  His woundedness was deep, but six months ago he turned to Jesus for healing.  He is now free from drugs and their hold on him.  His wounds have been healed.  

Today, if you are hurting from recent or long-present wounds, know the Lord can heal them.  You don’t even need an appointment.  

© Jim Musser 2013