Encouragement for Today

September 20, 2023 Healing From the Inside Out SARAH GERINGER Lee en español

“Heal me, LORD, and I will be healed; save me and I will be saved, for you are the one I praise.” Jeremiah 17:14 (NIV)

A friend’s husband had just undergone stomach surgery. When I asked her about his recovery process, she said, “The doctors closed up some of the wounds. But they left others alone because they want him to heal from the inside.”

I told her I would write this down to remember later because I knew a lesson was tucked into those words. Little did I know how much I would value her wisdom three years later, when I was healing after a painful divorce.

Though I longed for quick fixes like a new relationship and swift justice in my unfair situation, the Lord seemed to be saying “no” to those requests for closure. However, He tenderly and lovingly invited me to seek Him as my Healer.

God showed me that I needed deep healing from within more than a balm on the outside surfaces of my hurts. He saw the hurts I carried all the way from early childhood, plus the decades-long struggles in my difficult marriage. Pain that far reaching and long lasting would take much time and effort to heal.

My thoughts, attitudes and actions needed healing at the base level of my heart and soul, where the Holy Spirit lives in me (Romans 8:11).

As I got further away from the original crisis of the divorce, I saw God’s character powerfully demonstrated in my healing journey. He was and is the only One capable of fulfilling the roles described in this verse:

“Heal me, LORD, and I will be healed; save me and I will be saved, for you are the one I praise” (Jeremiah 17:14).

Though we may not require physical surgery, our hearts can shatter and need intensive care. I believe the Lord lovingly stitches some of our wounds shut with immediate help from pastors, counselors and godly friends. But He wisely leaves some places in our hearts open so He can heal us through the work He does within.

The Lord alone saves us from our own sin and heals the injuries of others' sins against us. He can make our hearts stronger with His unconditional love before we ever entrust ourselves to others again. Time alone with the Lord in Bible study and prayer fills up our empty caverns and soothes our loneliness. His comfort makes us much stronger than anything on the outside can do.

One part of my healing journey has been praising God through song. I praise Him as my Healer and Savior — the only One who deserves these accolades. Though you and I may not be fully healed yet, we can praise Him for healing us from the inside out through the power of His Word and the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

Dear Jesus, I praise You as my Healer. You take my broken heart and stitch it back together. But You also want to heal some places from the inside out. I trust You to heal me as You see fit. May I grow stronger as I seek You alone for my healing. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

OUR FAVORITE THINGS

Where do you turn when you’ve tried it all — saying the right words and prayers, reading the right Bible verses — but nothing seems to help the pain you feel? When you reach a point of feeling frustrated, forgotten or maybe even fed up, what do you do? If your faith doesn’t seem to be “working” anymore, it may be an invitation to wrestle with God. If you've ever experienced this, then this episode of The Proverbs 31 Ministries Podcast with Ashley Morgan Jackson is for you! Tune in now by clicking here.

Sarah Geringer’s book Transforming Your Thought Life: Christian Meditation in Focus helps you heal from negative thoughts. Click here to get your copy!

ENGAGE

Visit Sarah Geringer’s website to learn how to maintain integrity and hope while you are healing from a divorce.

FOR DEEPER STUDY

Psalm 147:3, “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds” (NIV).

In what areas of your life are you seeking God’s healing right now? Share your thoughts and prayer requests in the comments.

© 2023 by Sarah Geringer. All rights reserved.

Proverbs 31 Ministries
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Matthews, NC 28106
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