About a week ago I accidentally knocked my hand against my book shelf. I was sort of in a rush as my friend and I were packing for a road trip (shout out to Ji!) and then all of a sudden BAM I was slowed down. Intense pain followed and I looked down to see what the issue was. The skin was split open on my finger and blood was running profusely. I apologize for those of you with queesy stomachs! Its about to get a little real here on this post!
I rushed to the sink, ran my finger under the faucet and applied a towel and some Peroxide before looking for a bandaid. The cut looked kind of deep but I had plans for the weekend and no insurance to cover that kind of injury so I kept it moving. Over the course of the trip I applied new bandaids and kept an eye on the cut. I knew I could have used a stitch or two when I saw the white meat appear after the bleeding stopped. But again, I was going to have to be a “G” in the situation and let my body do its natural healing thing. My friend was great and gave me tips as she has suffered her own self inflicted injuries recently. After the trip I’m not gonna lie, I started getting concerned. It was such a deep cut and I was wondering how in the world the skin would ever close up. My friend asked if it scabbed over yet and I shared it had not. At her recommendation I added some Neosporin which I do feel helped.
Within days I noticed extra layers forming over the white part of the cut and I felt a sense of relief. It was healing! The skin was growing back!
At this point I am reminded of a scripture God gave me earlier this year:
Mark 8:22-25
“Then He came to Bethsaida; and they brought a blind man to Him, and begged Him to touch him. So He took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the town. And when He had spit on his eyes and put His hands on him, He asked him if he saw anything. And he looked up and said, “I see men like trees, walking.” Then He put His hands on his eyes again and made him look up. And he was restored and saw everyone clearly.”
So you’re probably wondering, “Nicole, what does this have to do with you cutting your finger???” Well, my friend I will tell you! In this passage Christ heals a man but the healing is not instant. Initially the man sees a little but his vision isn’t 💯. Instead it takes another time for Christ to touch the man. And its not like this is some imperfect being who doesn’t “have enough faith” to heal someone! We are talking about Jesus here folks! So it must be that some wounds are so deep they need to be healed in layers (see the connection now?)😉. Some wounds need to have the bandages changed a few times, have some antibiotic cream applied, need to have a closer eye kept on them to prevent infection. As much as you may want you cannot just slap a bandaid on it and keep it moving. Though there are times God does allow for that! There was a time a man was lame and all Christ said was “Take up your bed and walk ” and the guy walked! Those are the times I personally like best! Instant healing!
But there is something to be learned and appreciated when your healing takes time. You develop in perseverance, self control, and the like. You adjust your expectations of who God is and who you are. God is not a genie in a bottle ready to give you everything you want when you want it and you are not a needy, insecure person who needs His manifestation to feel loved (though I’m saying “you” I’m talking to myself folks).
Instead you learn He sometimes chooses to build your character and faith through the wait. He sometimes handles you with care and heals you in layers. And although at times you wonder if the healing will ever come, you realize it is coming but–quietly.
Slowly.
And over time.
SHALOM
