Misty Fitch | Fearfully Made

Have you ever had a bad cut on your arm? The pain from even the smallest cut can sometimes limit your ability to use your arm as usual.

What if you have an all-out gash that needs numerous stitches? Something like that would definitely limit you. But think about what would happen if you didn’t get the stitches, didn’t seek any medical help, and didn’t treat it in any way.

In the beginning, it would bleed a lot and probably ruin some of your clothing or furniture. Remember you aren’t treating it in any way; you’re not using anything to clean it or stop the blood, so you would be bleeding for quite some time. Nearly everything you touch would end up with at least some blood, although there might be a thing or two that can escape the effects. There may even be a few drops on the floor that reveal all the places you’ve walked.

After a while, the bleeding will eventually stop. However, you will probably notice that you don’t have full use of your arm because of the pain. And if you aren’t careful, the wound will open again. Even a nudge that you might not have even noticed before can cause immense pain and take the scab off, causing it to bleed all over again.

Days may pass, and if you still haven’t given this wound any attention, it will begin to get infected. It will be difficult to look at, probably oozing with nastiness, and your ability to use your arm to its full capacity will be limited even more.

In the beginning, only the wound was affected. Now, the infection has caused the skin around the wound to become red and painful.

Fast forward a few weeks, and that infection can turn into sepsis and become deadly if still untreated. This happens when your body is releasing all kinds of chemicals to try and treat the infection.

Your body begins fighting for its life – for your life – literally.

If you have unresolved anger and resentment toward someone in your past, then you have wounds that have not healed. Just like the cut when it was fresh, everything you touch will show the effects of your wounds. You may even have left a trail everywhere you’ve walked. Depending on how long your wounds have been left untreated, you could be bleeding all over everything you touch, or feeling limitations caused from infection, or you may already be seeing signs of sepsis.

It’s not too late for your wounds to heal:

1. Recognize you have been wounded. You can’t treat it if you are keeping it hidden. The phrase “out of sight, out of mind” is not true in this case.
2. Trace your steps so you can clean up any blood you’ve spilled along the way. Remember that the longer it has been sitting, the harder it will be to clean up, and you will find some stains that won’t be able to be completely cleaned. Don’t hide those stains, though. Use those to tell your story when you find others who have been wounded.
3. Seek medical attention. Whether it’s with a counselor, a pastor, or a mentor, show that person your wound, and ask for help in treating it.
4. Follow instructions. Listen to the advice of your “medical professionals,” and read the instructions on how to adequately treat the wound. The instructions are located all throughout scripture.
5. Be Patient. No matter how old the wound is, the healing process will take some time. Don’t rush it, and don’t skip steps. If you treat it as directed, the wound will heal completely. However, understand that there will be a scar, but that scar will not limit your ability to function, and it will not open up again. It will become a part of your story and can be used for God’s glory.