Healing

RIVERS OF LIVING WATER

A friend recently told me about some of the problems he had in his relationship with his father. As he grew into adulthood, and as a Christian, he began to learn about his dad’s history as a Viet Nam vet; and how confused and conflicted Americans were about the war; and how, as a result, we did not welcome our veterans home with as much compassion and gratitude as they deserved; and how this added to their psychological trauma. He read about Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome. He began to understand some of his dad’s behaviors. At one point, he said to his dad, "You don’t even have to apologize. It’s OK. I understand." Can you imagine the healing that must have flowed into that father’s heart with that statement? When we walk in the Spirit of Christ’s love, we are blessed with a tremendous potential for healing. Love enables us to understand people and their behaviors more deeply. Jesus heals our heart of the wounds inflicted upon us through our imperfect caretakers and loved ones. Instead of being critical of them, we forgive, and have compassion for them. This compassion has the potential of touching their hearts in a healing and liberating manner. This is another way of describing what Jesus spoke about in the above verse. It represents the expansion of the Kingdom of God. And it is happening in countless homes, workplaces and relationships today, and every day. We can be very thankful for this "river of living water." We can all bathe in its refreshing, clean, pure and healing flow.

Painful Healing

       One of the problems with getting older is declining health. At 49 I’m too young to be in that category. But I do have some chronic back pain caused by old racing injuries in my right ankle. I’ve been getting some physical therapy from my chiropractor, Dr. Mike Petrosky. He has the gift of healing. He can push his thumbs into my back and TELL ME where my pain is. Then he puts a little lotion on his hands and begins to massage the injured area. He uses some force with his thumbs deep into my lower back in the bad spots.

       One day I asked him about this and this is what he said, “I’m working out the lactic acid... getting the injured area’s attention... stimulating the muscles for healing.” The best part of all was when...he stopped! It was painful while he was pressing and I was trying not to cry out in pain, but I almost didn’t make it a couple times. He said I had some muscle tears down there that caused the pain and restricted movement.

       I asked him why it hurt so much. He said, “There’s no air pockets in your muscle, so the injured area has fluids that build up. That’s why there is usually swelling associated with an injury. It’s your body’s life-force. I massaged out the old fluids. The injury is calling out for fluids with healing cells. Many people ignore it, or take a pill to cover it up. But you must listen to your body. Give it the attention in the area where the injury is.”

       I don’t understand all that stuff, but I think it’s kind of like renovating a room on your house. First you have to tear out the old or damaged area. Then you have to clean the walls or floors for the new coating to stick. Next you bring in the new materials. Finally you re-build that section. All the while there is the inconvenience of the mess. Eventually, with time, it will have been worth it and the pain will be forgotten.

       So it is with healing. Whether it is emotional, physical or mental pain, in order for healing to occur, the healer must put his hand on the painful area. It must be dealt with. The old waste must be purged. New construction materials must be brought in, then the re-building can begin. It is painful for a while. But it’s the only way.

       Are you suffering from pain in some area of your life? Rather than covering it up or ignoring it, shouldn’t you get a healer? Jesus Christ is the ultimate healer. His words or requirements may be painful at first, but they are necessary to purge the wound. Bring in the right healing and construction material from God’s Word. Take it easy on that area for a while. Then give it time.

Scripture for the Day: “But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings. And you will go out and leap like calves released from the stall.”

(Malachi 4:2)

“...the crowds learned about it and followed him. He welcomed them and spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and healed those who needed healing.” (Speaking of Jesus in Luke 9:11)

Quote for the Day: “Many that high-strung patient, ‘practice the peace of God which passes all understanding and you will be well.’” (Louis F. Bishop, M.D.)

(from "Racing Fuel for the Spirit" by Roy Jenkins)