Maneuvers - No. 51
Let Me Heal
Your Heart
So many things can break our hearts, friend. But not nearly as many things can heal them.
We do try, though, don’t we? We look frantically for anything that can heal us–or at least numb the pain. We do whatever we can to be good enough, brave enough, happy enough.
In that frantic search, we might even turn to things that actually do more harm than good. And we feel even sicker than before.
But there is One who can heal our hearts, friend. And it’s a restoration that doesn’t fade away. He loves to hold us close, put his hand on the areas that hurt, and bring life where there was once only death and suffering.
Will we let him? Will we let him touch those parts that hurt? Our natural instinct might be to pull away. We don’t like being reminded of the wrongs we’ve suffered or the mistakes we’ve made.
But if we let him… if we say “yes” to his methods and his words, what could happen? What new growth could spring up in those freshly healed places? What new strength would we find in what used to be weak and festering sores?
Friend, there’s much in store for us. If we’re willing. If we say “yes.”
Let’s lean into that “yes” today and allow Jesus to heal us. He’s ready to mend our broken hearts if we’re ready to trust him.
01.
The Message
“Can I hold your heart now? Touch the parts that hurt? The parts you try to hold together? It is made to break open–and it is made to become whole. I am not the one who breaks hearts, but I am the one who mends them.
“For so long you have tried to be strong, resilient, indestructible. And yet this armor isn't the right kind. You don’t have to be invincible in order to be whole. For it is only when you are open and vulnerable, willing to let change come, that you will be healed. And I know this is what you need, more than anything.
“Will you trust me? Will you let me guide you forward? Sometimes going forward means looking back. Will you trust me to guide you back, too? Back to memories. Back, sometimes, to pain. Back to moments where you tried hard to avoid the root of the problem.
“Let me stay with you, close with you, as we journey deeper into your heart. Places I want you to better understand in regard to how they make up your story. For your story, the one that is written, has many dimensions. What you know and what you remember and what you predict will happen next are largely determined by how open you are to possibility–or not.
“Also, what you believe is possible determines how you heal. Do you believe you matter? Do you believe it is worth spending time with me for the purpose of healing? Take a step toward me now. Open up your heart. The armor I place upon you will defend you against any threat. My word, my hope, my love–they shield you so, as I heal you, you have nothing to fear.”
02.
Listen
Sit with Holy Spirit for a moment as you ponder his words. What part of his message resonates with you the most? What do you want to say to God in response?
03.
Think
“Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits–who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion” (Psalm 103:2-3, NIV).
1. What areas in your heart need healing?
2. What’s holding you back from allowing Jesus to heal those areas? What lies are making it hard to trust Jesus to heal you?
3. What is Jesus asking you to do right now as a first step toward receiving healing?
04.
Trust
Let’s close our eyes for a moment and imagine we’re wandering in the desert with the Israelites right after God delivered the entire nation from slavery in Egypt.
It’s hot. Our stomachs growl with hunger. And our tongue feels almost sticky from how thirsty we are.
Then we see it–water! We rush to gulp a handful of the chilly water when we suddenly realize… we can’t drink it. It’s… bitter. Toxic, even.
That’s what happened in Exodus 15 when the Israelites came to Marah. The people were so thirsty and so tired of waiting that they began to grumble: “What are we going to drink?”
Then Moses did something strange. He took a piece of wood that the Lord showed him and threw it into the water. It may have seemed odd to the Israelites, but it worked–the water became sweet and drinkable. It was a miracle!
Right after that, God told his people: “If you will listen carefully to the voice of the Lord your God, and do what is right in His sight, and listen to His commandments, and keep all His statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you which I have put on the Egyptians; for I, the Lord, am your healer” (Exodus 15:26, NASB, emphasis added).
What did Moses throwing wood into the water have to do with the Lord being the Healer? Could it be that the wood represented something that would one day heal us completely–the cross of Jesus?
Friend, when our hearts are sick with bitterness and pain and suffering, there’s only one person who can heal us: Jesus. And his death on the cross is the key to that healing, no matter how long we’ve been hurting.
Right now, let’s take a moment to invite Jesus into the broken places of our hearts. As we close our eyes, let’s breathe deeply and focus on his presence. Is it warm? Inviting? Safe? Radiant? Beautiful? Peaceful?
Now let’s ask him to point out the specific places in our lives that need healing. What hurts in our past have made us thirsty for love and acceptance? What has that thirst driven us to do? Ask him to show us if we have any bitterness from the hurts we’ve suffered. How does he want us to surrender those bitter places to him?
05.
Pray
Father, I confess where I’ve allowed hurts and wounds to fester and where I’ve let bitterness creep into my heart. I need your healing. I’m ready for your healing. I’m ready to surrender fully to your love.
Bring your light and life into the dark places of my heart. I trust you. I believe I’m worth healing–because you say I am. I believe that it’s worth it to spend time with you for the purpose of healing. And I believe you love me enough to heal me.
Here I am, Jesus. Flood my heart with your peace. Let it wash over my brokenness. I love you so much.
In Jesus’ name, amen.
Waving the banner with you,
