Healing. It's a concept that I talk about in almost every single post that I write on this blog, and yet I have had a hard time sitting down to write this post. I was recently invited to be a part of the launch team for Jenny Simmons new book "Made Well". As many of you know, I read her first book "The Road to Becoming" a few months ago and it utterly changed my life.
The same has been true with Made Well. This book came at a time when I have never been more fully aware that God is taking me on a new journey of healing and restoration, and it's been terrifying quite honestly. Jenny takes the concept of healing in Made Well and breaks it down on a level that is soothing and comforting and leads you right back to Jesus in a way that I didn't really even think was possible.
I have said many times before that I have this idea in my head of what my own healing is supposed to look like. I have told my counselor a million times "I know I will actually be healed when _______ happens." And in reality? Most of those things haven't happened and it's kept me going in circles for a while now. And then I read this book, and it made me redefine what my own healing could look like. I love when Jenny says " Healing happens when we entrust ourselves to God's care and become aware of the miraculous ways He is at work in our midst, binding the wounds. While we yell "FIX IT!" and shake our fists at the lack of response, God is often quietly at work behind the scenes answering in ways we would never expect or pray for. The ways that come small, steady, and whispery in the dark of the night in the depths of pain. The ways that aren't always bashy and grand."
I don't know about you, but healing has always appeared bashy and grand in my own mind. It had to be spectacular, it had to be incredible! It had to be EVERYTHING that I demanded, or else God MUST not be who he says he is. Well guess what? That's just not true.
"Miracles happen, cures are discovered, and seemingly impossible situations and relationships are redeemed and restored here and now. But even if they are not, my ability for wholeness is not diminished or stolen. Far beyond the curing of our bodies or the fixing of our temporal situations, God is in the business of making us well in completely other ways."
I read this quote, and in many ways it gives my heart sweet relief. It gives me sweet relief to know that God is still God regardless if I still wake up in the morning with anxiety and depression. God is still God even when I show signs of having PTSD. God is still God when I have flashbacks and panic attacks. God is still God when I am angry and hurting. God is still God, and he IS healing my heart in ways I cannot even conceive or imagine. God may not heal my mental health issues on this side of heaven, but He can and has made me well in completely other ways.
At some point in our lives we all need healing. I know we haven't all been abused, or seen the horrors of war, or watched a loved one die. But we have all without fail experienced deep pain. We all have experienced hurt, loss and grief in some nature. And that means we all need to go on a healing journey of some nature. Yes, some may be longer than others. Some may be shorter. But at some point we all need healing in some regard. And that's what I want to challenge you to today.
I used to think my wholeness and wellness depended on the people I had around me in my life- family, friends, co-workers, my therapist etc. And in all reality, that does play a roll. And I blamed and continue to blame all of them when my healing isn't going in the direction that I have planned for it too. But the truth? The truth is that my wholeness and wellness comes from and is only dependant on Christ alone, and I trust that He has, and will continue to make me well. I am very clear that I love mental health. I love counseling, I love my therapist in a professional way, and I LOVE the healing that God has brought to my life through those resources and is continuing to take me on. I want to challenge you today to take your own step towards your own healing journey- What roadblocks to healing do you have up? What is your "I know I will actually be healed when _______ happens." statement? I want to challenge you today to really think through "Is that realistic? and can I trust Jesus to still heal my heart even if that doesn't happen?" Being healthy and whole are NOT the same thing. I have tried MANY 'health' things to fix my un-wholeness, trust me. It doesn't work. The definition of healthy is "enjoying or possessing good health and vigor of body and spirit." Healing literally means "to make whole". One is a possession, the other is a process. I have searched for the possession my entire life, and it's finally time to commit to the process, 100%.
So here is my random thought of the day for you- Do you want to be Made Well? Are you ready to commit to this journey of letting God heal you in ways you could never ask or imagine? It will be messy, and it will hurt and be filled with scars and scabs. But, the healing and freedom that will come from it will be far more worth it than you can even comprehend. I challenge you today to take whatever steps you need to to start this journey- set up an appointment with a therapist. Call a friend, call me, join a church group. Just do something. And I can promise you that God is going to honor your vulnerability and willingness to to dive into this journey with him.
P.S.- If you are wanting to buy Jenny's book (which I highly highly recommend!!!!) Go check it out on amazon at the link below!!
https://www.amazon.com/Made-Well-Finding-Wholeness-Everyday/dp/0801018900/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8
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