Have you heard the saying, “Time heals all wounds”? Do you believe it?
One morning I entered a relative’s kitchen and found her crying. Alarmed, I asked, “What happened?”
She told me about people who’d wronged her. When I realized she was talking about something that had happened when she was in her early twenties, my jaw dropped. She was now in her eighties.
That experience showed me something important: time alone doesn’t heal bitterness.
Years later, I realized I was becoming like my relative.
We’d hired a man from our church for a major project. He left the project unfinished, much of his work had to be redone, and he walked off owing us a substantial amount of money. Two decades later, I was still complaining whenever we had to deal with an ongoing issue caused by his negligence.
I’d tried to forgive this man many times, but for some reason it didn’t stick. I sat down with the Lord and asked Him to show me why.
As I journaled, the Lord took me back to another hurt, a much deeper one. I realized this man reminded me of someone who’d betrayed me on a much deeper level when I was a teenager.
That day I asked God for the grace to forgive both men.
I learned something important through that experience. Time is not enough to heal all wounds. And sometimes, the current wounds we struggle to forgive are linked to deeper wounds from our past.
Do you have a wound that continues to seep bitter feelings?
Even after we forgive, we may need to continue tending a wound for a while. Deep wounds can throb when knocked, even after we think they’ve healed.
In Big Hurt, Bigger God, I provide a tool for processing our hurts with God.
REAP with God
R — Recognize your messy emotions
E — Express them to God. I recommend journaling them.
A — Ask the Holy Spirit for the truth about God, the situation, the person, and yourself.
P — Practice the story God shows you. We must apply the truth for it to set us free.
If you or someone you know is struggling with the lingering pain of betrayal or being wronged, I invite you to read Big Hurt, Bigger God: Finding Freedom Through Biblical Forgiveness.
It doesn’t matter how old the wound is. God is bigger. What time can’t heal, God can. And He can set you free.
Can a wound from decades ago still fuel bitterness today? I discovered that time alone doesn’t heal bitterness. But God can—and He can set you free. Discover more in Big Hurt, Bigger God: Finding Freedom Through Biblical #Forgiveness. Share on X
Celebrating a Big God,
Sometimes I link to these great sites:
#MondayLinkUp, #InstaEncouragements, #Let’sHaveCoffee, #SweetTea&Friends
“sometimes, the current wounds we struggle to forgive are linked to deeper wounds from our past.” That is huge, Debbie and something we often don’t even realize. Addressing it can make a world of difference.
I agree, Ann. When we can let go of major wrongs and can’t let go of someone or something that’s irritating but not major I think that’s a good sign they’ve hit an old wound in some way. An invitation to invite God to go deeper with us.
How true Ms. Debbie. Time alone only causes hurts and fears to fester and the infection to grow worse. It takes time with God to heal the hurts in life.
Thank you, J.D. You summed it up well. Time alone won’t heal, but time with God will.
‘It doesn’t matter how old the wound is. God is bigger.’
Wow. That’ll grab ya. Praise God that nothing daunts Him. He is our Healer in all the ways that matter most.
Word is getting out about your excellent book, Debbie. I am so happy for you.
Thank you, Linda. And I really appreciate your excellent post/review of the book!
Debbie, the truth you share here, that time alone does not heal bitterness, that only God can, took me decades to learn. So grateful for His healing work in my life.
Me too, Donna. So thankful He’s provided biblical examples to help us too.
It’s so true that time doesn’t heal all wounds. Even with the Lord’s help, healing can take a while. I’m thankful for His grace.
I am too. Thanks, Barbara.
Wonderful reminder of the importance of forgiveness. We have to give our wounds to Christ or they will continue to fester. Thanks Debbie
Thanks, Yvonne.
Such an important message, Debbie. When we harbor unforgiveness, the burden is heavy. Thank you for sharing these helpful strategies. I’ve got your book, hoping to dive into it soon. Thank you for sharing inspiration and hope.
Thanks so much for reading it. I hope it will benefit readers, even if it’s just a reminder of our good God.
Amen Debbie. You said this perfectly. Only God can heal wounds. I can testify to this.
I appreciate you sharing this with Sweet Tea & Friend’s this month dear friend.
Thank you, Paula. And thanks for highlighting my blog on winning the award.