Science proves it, and my nursing experience witnessed it. Years ago, large wounds were treated with drying agents and heat lamps to encourage a protective scab to form. This took forever or required follow-up skin grafting.
The discovery that cells can grow, divide, and migrate more quickly in the presence of moisture in the wound changed wound care protocol, with occlusive dressings becoming available.
Wet wound care reduces wound infections, speeds healing by 50%, reduces the need for antibiotics, and lessens scarring. With an occlusive dressing, healing body fluids destroy bacteria, prevent an unsightly scab from forming, and allow new skin cells to develop horizontally within the wound bed. Eventually, healthy pink skin grows and naturally covers the wound.
Diabetic wounds, skin tears, bed sores, and traumatic physical injuries will heal from the wound bed floor to the surface with intact skin when bathed in the body’s own fluid.
But what about wounded emotions and broken hearts? How do these wounds heal? Why do some seem to recover quickly from the inevitable offenses and traumas we all suffer, and others spend their lives in self-pity and blame?
I want to suggest it has to do with how we manage sin, the wrongdoing that causes all emotional/spiritual wounds. If I’m being honest, most days I offend someone and someone offends me. It might just be in my head or in how I relate to people. Usually, the offense isn’t intended, but humans tend to misinterpret communication, body language, and motives.
To keep my emotional wounds from getting too deep, I’ve learned to accept forgiveness from Jesus Christ quickly as I acknowledge my sin toward Him and others. The greatest gift I’ve ever received is His pure, sinless blood poured out for the healing of my sins. (The life of every creature is in the blood. NLT: Leviticus 17: 14)
Yes, there’s guilt attached, but Jesus declares my freedom from guilt and shame as I confess and receive cleansing with His pure, healing blood sacrifice. (All praise to Him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by shedding His blood for us. NLT: Revelation 1: 5)
And what do we do with those deep hurts inflicted on our hearts by circumstances and others? My experience has taught me that pretending hurts aren’t there, carrying angry, vindictive thoughts, and sulking in rejection and self-pity is an unhealthy way to live.
I take hurts to Jesus quickly, asking Him to heal my wounded heart and help me to forgive just as He has forgiven me. I ask Him to bring His wisdom, resolution, and justice to the situation. (The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He hath anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; He hath sent Me to heal the brokenhearted. Luke 4: 18)
Rehearsing the hurt, guilt, shame, and vindictiveness with ourselves and others only deepens emotional wounds. All the “could haves” and “should haves” only deepen negative reflective thinking. Sharing with a skilled counselor or friend might help identify the emotional wounding, but only Jesus, His blood, and His Words can heal situations and relationships.
The transforming presence of Jesus’ Spirit destroys the stinking thinking and builds a framework of powerful love into thoughts and attitudes. His mighty, forgiving love, applied to emotional wounds, brings words and actions filled with hope and love. (For He has rescued us from the one who rules in the kingdom of darkness, and He has brought us into the Kingdom of His dear Son. God has purchased our freedom with his blood and has forgiven all our sins. NLT: Colossians 1: 13 – 14)
Your healed emotional wounds will help others find a better way to heal theirs. The remaining emotional scars are minimal, and with lessons learned, they serve as a warning of oncoming emotional hazards. Take those potential wounds to Jesus quickly. (Now you can have sincere love for each other as brothers and sisters because you were cleansed from your sins when you accepted the truth of the Good News. So, see to it that you really do love each other intensely with all your hearts. NLT: 1 Peter 1: 22)