Sunday Writing by Jan Andersen..."Healing Wounds"......7/16/17

Good morning,

At times we can be the walking wounded. We carry around wounds from sickness that have to be treated. These result from illnesses we have suffered or injuries that we have had during our life times. These wounds often need treatment before our bodies can heal. Other injuries that we carry and suffer from are the result of wounds suffered throughout our lives that are not as obvious. These wounds are not as obvious on the outside but must be dealt with emotionally if we are to be healthy. The healing can be complete or partial,  but it runs below the surface during our lifetimes in small degrees or larger proportions but how we deal with them affects our lives. Sometimes it even takes a wound to make us grow and heal, to make us truly well.  Healing wounds are the the topic of Jan Andersen's writing today. She wrote of the importance of healing our wounds, "Those emotional scars can create difficulties later in life with relationships and self esteem issues. Often only by confronting the faulty beliefs and unhealthy patterns, opening the wound carefully with knowledgeable help, can those problems be healed."

The fact is that it is of utmost importance to bring our wounds to the fore and to deal with them to be healthy in our lives. May you have success in dealing with your hurts, and may God continue to heal you throughout your life.

God bless,

Jan and Corinne

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Today's Devotional 

written by

Jan Andersen

"HEALING WOUNDS"

We often think of wounds as bad things, but some wounds are necessary for healing and producing good growth. When a surgeon creates an incision, it is a wound. It is carefully placed in order to reach important structures beneath the skin and other layers of the body. Sometimes it is to remove something, like a cancerous growth which if left untouched would spread and kill. Other times it is to repair something that has torn or broken that will not heal correctly on its own. Some wounds are produced instead by an accident or injury. Even then it may be necessary to open the wound further, as when a doctor cuts away dead tissue to let healthy tissue grow back. When we clean a wound out with soap and water, we remove debris and contaminated blood in order to clear the way for medication and to help it heal properly. While opening a wound can be painful, it is sometimes needed to become healthy and sound again. 

Life's wounds can be like that also. Sometimes deep wounds are inflicted in childhood that are stuffed inside. Burying the pain may be how people survive initially, but eventually it can create an "infection" within. Those emotional scars can create difficulties later in life with relationships and self esteem issues. Often only by confronting the faulty beliefs and unhealthy patterns, opening the wound carefully with knowledgeable help, can those problems be healed. Or we may feel that hiding a sin is better than being found out, but if left unchecked that sin can grow and kill us from within like a cancer. Revealing that soul wound in the act of confession can feel like tearing open a huge, gaping lesion. But that is necessary in order to receive healing forgiveness. It allows God's medicinal grace to enter into our hearts and cleanse our souls through the blood of the Lamb, Jesus, Christ. Thank you, Lord, for opening my wounds for your healing and for suffering the MOST necessary wounds of all for us!

The blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. 

1 John 1:7b-10 ESV 

"WARNING: Side effects include freedom from guilt, reduced tension, increased joy, spontaneous laughter, love for your fellow human, eternal life, and an urge to tell others the wonderful news."

Dear Lord in heaven, surgeon of sinful hearts, open us up to your healing and cleanse us from all unhealthiness. Forgive us for all our wrongdoings, known or unknown to us. Heal our deep wounds so that we may be of help and witness to others. Thank you for all your blessings. In Jesus' name,  Amen. 

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Here is an uplifting graphic

for you to think about.

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Prayers are lifted up daily for you 

by the Staff Writers of 

Women's Focus Ministry

  Jan Andersen,  Cathy Friberg,  Sandy Billingham, Beverley Napier, Shelly Keith, 

Brother Thomas Ukwute, Jody Ward,  Karen Bennett, 

Carol Steficek, Amie Spruiell, and  Corinne Mustafa

Occasional Contributors
Kathy Bireley,  Lynda Kinnard, Mary M. Wilkins,

Terri Baker, Beverley Napier, Kelly Dobyns

Glenna Williamson, Lisabeth  Lipp, Nandita Bhatnagar.