From emotional hurt to emotional healing

Here's what I know:

The line from emotional hurt to emotional healing is rarely a straight line.

Outside of a Damascus Road miracle of the Holy Spirit (which can happen) - complete healing takes time and work.

It is filled with twists and turns and ups and downs - victories and defeats.

Two steps forward and one step back is how some of our days end up.

Paul writes to the Roman Christians about the Holy Spirit who helps our infirmities (Romans 8:26).

Some translations use the word weaknesses or cripplings in place of the word infirmities.

One meaning of the word help has a medical connotation, suggesting the way a nurse helps in the healing process.

So it is not simply "to take hold of the other side," which is the literal meaning of the verb, but that the Holy Spirit becomes our partner and helper, who works along with us in a mutual participation for our healing (and if you are like me you need all the help you can get).

We do, however, have our part as well.

And, while the line to emotional health is rarely straight, these principle will help straighten out the crooked path that we all take to healing.

The following thoughts are not "steps to healing" that you follow one after another, just some suggestions that we can all use - and when implemented over a period of time - can aid us in our search in overcoming our emotional hurt.

Face the problem head-on.  Don't run from it, deny it or ignore it.  It will not go away by itself.  Instead, embrace it to the extent that you make a commitment to yourself to overcome and to heal.  I often say that neurosis is simply the avoidance of pain.  The avoidance of our hurt can actually create more hurt than the hurt itself - with feelings of anxiety, worry and fear.

Ask yourself if you want to be healed.  Do I really want to be healed?  Or do I relish laying in the pool of misery and self-pity.

Accept responsibility for your part in the matter.  We can't dictate what happens to us - but we can determine our response.  Please listen to me:  I am responsible for my actions - and I will never receive healing until I stop blaming everyone else and take responsibility.

Forgive everyone involved in the problem (including yourself).  Jesus made it very plain that no healing can take place until forgiveness is given.  And, forgive yourself.  Can I tell you something?  You can forgive yourself.  You can let yourself walk in freedom, with the help of the Holy Spirit.

Finally, ask the Holy Spirit to show you what the real problem is and how you need to pray.  Many times we don't even know how to pray, but the Holy Spirit will pray in and through us and even make intercession for us as we come to Him. 

Just some thoughts for a Thursday.