By: Elizabeth Haarberg

Festering

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking on this SoundCloud link.

Wounds can fester to the point of infection. Just as the outward wounds need attention, our inward self also needs assistance. Unforgiveness toward others and ourselves leads to wounded hearts that self-protect and insert walls to keep others out.

“Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.” Proverbs 28:13 English Standard Version

Jesus is willing to heal our wounded hearts and minds, but we have a part to play in the process. Our job is to confess and repent to receive that healing. Believe it or not, his wounds are what heal ours.

“He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.” 1 Peter 2:24 English Standard Version

“For I will restore health to you, and your wounds I will heal, declares the LORD,” Jeremiah 30: 17 English Standard Version

We are healed because He took the wounds that we deserve. Healing is available and has been accessible through Jesus, but we typically slow down the healing process. Through our human nature and minds, we think we are in charge of our healing or we don’t deserve healing or any of the hundreds of reasons we can come up with that we should not be healed. Jesus wants us to live in freedom and proclaim His name to others that need to taste and see just how good He is.

“Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good!” Psalm 34:8 English Standard Version

Healing is a process that takes time. It is possible that we will see some healing while we’re on Earth and some in heaven. There is no formula to healing and the mystery of healing remains just that, a mystery. Continuing to pursue personal freedom and healing of wounds increases my dependence on the Trinity. The more I’m healed, the more of God I want and the more I want others to have what is waiting for them.

Copyright Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado