Don’t Pick At It!

She looks like she bumped into an unyielding object, quite hard. Bruise on the forehead, abrasions on the side of her little nose and between the other eye and eyebrow. It seems she took off running, not realizing that something was in her way and BAM! Can you relate?

She knows there’s something there, even though she can’t see it and so she tries to pick it off. Only it’s not ready to come off yet. I told her “Jesus is healing it.” He has placed a protective cover over the boo-boo until it’s ready. To pick it off will interfere with healing and “He will have to start all over.” Hard concept for a two-year-old to grasp. Can be hard for us grown-ups to grasp too.

“When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things.” 1 Corinthians 13:11

Several lessons there, huh?

1.       There are times when Jesus heals immediately. The time when the soldiers came to arrest Jesus and Peter would not stand for it. He grabs his sword and swings at one of the soldiers and the ear gets sliced off. Well then, Jesus would have none of that, and reaches up and restores what the impetuous Peter has done. Immediate healing. (John 18:10 and Luke 22:51)

I remember a time when I witnessed my little boy jumping off the end of my bed’s footboard and heard his blood-curdling scream when he hit the floor with his little two-year-old feet and ankles. We prayed together and the tears stopped and he hopped up and played like nothing ever happened. Immediate healing.

2.       But sometimes, and it seems like most times, healing takes time. But we have to remember that time does not do the healing, Jesus does. If we leave it alone and let Him do it. If we stop picking at it and picking it back up and reopening the wounds that He promises to heal. If… and that’s a pretty big IF, we grow up a little bit in our faith and start trusting Him more. Start thinking like a grownup in Christ.

Remember, we “…walk by faith and not by sight” 2 Corinthians 5:7.

3.       We need to trust that God is working things out, healing what needs healed, even when we can’t see it or feel it. We must remember that just like picking at physical wounds can introduce bacteria that complicates healing, we can put complications in our own path to spiritual healing and growth. Holding on to anxiety and grief can impede recovery from wounds we have experienced, when it is possible to experience the peace of God through prayer.

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6

I asked for boo-boos to pray for in Sunday school class, and this same little girl asks for prayer for the small scabs on her knees. I asked about those on her face and she says, “I don’t have any boo-boos on my face.” Out of sight, out of mind. Hmmm.

So remember, if it’s a physical injury, bring out the peroxide and antibiotic ointment, and don’t pick at it! But remember the advice from the Word when it comes to the wounds of the heart. Walk by faith until those wounds are out of sight. Pray, asking for what you need, remembering to give thanks, and then enjoy the peace of God. Don’t try to understand it. God’s healing surpasses understanding. Rest in the protection of His Spirit that guards you in every step of this journey.