Time Doesn't Heal All Wounds

By Andrea Merrell

Therefore, confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. James 5:16 NIV

 

“Time heals,” they say. True in some respects. Many times over the years when I thought a physical ailment would never go away, it did. Sometimes that ailment needed medication, stitches, physical therapy, or even surgery, but healing eventually came.

There have been other times I’ve waited for inner wounds to heal. A broken heart. Scars deep in my soul. Bad memories that kept resurfacing no matter how hard I tried to push them down. Just when I thought enough time had passed and the wounds were healed, they would break open, and all that hurt and anguish would ooze out again … and again … and …

The truth is time alone doesn’t heal all wounds. At least not without a little cooperation on our part.

I’ve found that in order to silence those hurtful, negative voices from the past, I can’t keep ignoring them, hoping they’ll go away. I have to face them head on and deal with them once and for all.

The process begins with forgiveness. Forgiving my offenders. Asking forgiveness for hanging on to the past. And then forgiving myself. Talking with a trusted friend or counselor might also be helpful at times. But the most important part is giving my burdens to the Lord—casting the whole of my care over on Him, the Great Physician.

Time can lessen the effect of some past situations, but the wounds will never be completely healed until we deal with them.

Go ahead. Begin the healing process today. God is ready to set you free.

(Photo courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net and Kittisak.)

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Time can lessen the effect of some past situations, but the wounds will never be completely healed until we deal with them. via @AndreaMerrell(Click to tweet.)

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Don't Waste Your Time

By Andrea Merrell

It was one of those friendly little tips you wish you’d learned long ago.

According to a lot of people, Facebook may not have too many redeeming qualities, but aside from meeting new people and keeping up with friends and family, you can harvest some helpful tips and a bevy of wonderful recipes.

There’s no way to count how much celery I’ve thrown away in my lifetime. It’s something I like to keep on hand, but we all know it doesn’t last long. The Facebook video showed me how to cut the celery and wrap it firmly in aluminum foil. Simple. The best part? It really works. Keeps it fresh for a long time.

Eliminates wasted time, wasted money, and lots of frustration.

But just like He always does, God used this little tip to show me how much time I’ve wasted over the years by not doing what His Word tells me to do.

We’re admonished to refrain from judging others, esteeming them higher than we esteem ourselves.  We’re told to love, serve, and trust in God with our whole heart. We’re expected to offer forgiveness, give unselfishly, pray about everything, and let His light shine through our lives.

All simple things. Yet we tend to forget the blessings we receive by being obedient.

Time is a precious commodity. A gift. It’s also short and should be used wisely. Let’s make a decision today to make every minute count—for Him.

(Photos courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net/Stuart Miles/phasinphoto.)

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Time is a precious gift from God. Use it wisely. (Click to Tweet.)

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