The Power of Healing

Several weeks ago, I had Mohs surgery for skin cancer on my face. A tiny bump that appeared in December never went away. In March, the bump grew exponentially, quadrupling in size. A biopsy in April revealed it was squamous carcinoma.

I was discouraged about the size of the scar post-surgery, but I experienced the body’s healing power daily. Within two weeks, improvement was significant.

Following are my reflections on healing:

The Power of the Body to Heal

Physical wounds heal in stages. Within the first few days, the body’s immune system kicks in to fight infection. A scab forms to protect the wound.

In my case, instructions were to avoid allowing a scab to form, lessening the potential for scarring. This involved daily cleansing and keeping the cut lubricated. Rest enhanced the healing process.

Once healing is complete, the gorier parts of the process are usually forgotten. A scar may remain but fades with time.

The body’s power to heal is God-designed and amazing, but we must do our part by following instructions and resting.

Healing Emotional Scars

Emotional wounds are often more prevalent and lasting than physical scars. As with physical healing, emotional wounds also heal in stages and require attention if they are to heal thoroughly.

Sometimes, we don’t do our part in healing emotional wounds. We bury emotional hurts instead of tending them. We allow thick scabs to form, scabs that are often ripped off by additional wounding. This re-wounding makes the scar wider and deeper. Then, the healing process begins again. You may never totally forget the pain of emotional wounds, but gradually, you ruminate on the hurt less often.

Have you been intentional about healing emotional wounds? Or have the scars become so thick and deep that you’ve closed yourself to other areas of your life?

Now is a good time to work on emotional wounds. Acknowledge the hurt. Forgive, extend grace, and revive forward motion.

Healing Power

I can’t discount God’s power in my physical healing process. We can’t heal ourselves emotionally or physically without God’s direction, grace, compassion, and power. Left to our own devices, we’ll mess up every time. But God, Jehovah Rapha, is mighty to heal and restore. He is the forgiver of sin and the healer of diseases. God is trustworthy and faithful, fully capable of physical healing and emotional restoration.

“Lord, heal me, and I will truly be healed. Save me, and I will truly be saved. You are the one I praise” (Jeremiah 17:14 NCV).

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Candy Arrington is an award-winning writer, blogger, and speaker. She often writes on tough topics with a focus on moving through, and beyond, difficult life circumstances. Candy has written hundreds of articles, stories, and devotions published by numerous outlets including: Inspiration.org, Arisedaily.com, CBN.com, Healthgrades.com, Care.com, Focus on the Family, NextAvenue.org, CountryLiving.com, and Writer’s Digest. Candy’s books include Life on Pause: Learning to Wait Well (Bold Vision Books), When Your Aging Parent Needs Care (Harvest House), and AFTERSHOCK: Help, Hope, and Healing in the Wake of Suicide (B&H Publishing Group).

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