Have you ever thought you’ve been healed of something physically, spiritually, or emotionally, only to discover you really hadn’t? Something calls your attention to the wound you thought was gone but apparently still exists.

If you’re like me, that probably makes you feel discouraged. “Hey, I thought I was better! I thought I was really healed! But look—that wound still hasn’t gone away! Will it ever go away? Will I ever be healed?”

Physically maybe not in this world. But when it comes to emotional and spiritual healing, there’s always hope for this life on earth. Here’s what the Lord showed me—through my foot(!):

Two months ago, I suffered a major injury requiring emergency hip replacement surgery, from which I’m recovering well, thanks to the Lord, medical help, physical therapy, exercise, etc.

My foot, however, is a different story. That wound had nothing to do with the injury but exists because of someone’s carelessness and/or incompetence. Due to the injury and hospitalization, they placed compression socks on me, stretching from mid-foot to the bottom of my knee.

By the time I got permission to remove the socks, I had a nasty, deep and wide, wound. (Not the “deep and wide” we like to sing about!). So began the process of healing. After prescribed treatment over 2 weeks, it looked a little better.

Then a layer of white “lips” around it came off—thought it included the scab. Maybe it did, but another one appeared, with more white “lips” and still red around it. That happened twice again. Now there’s still a little left.

What have I learned? That healing comes in layers. This also applies to our emotional/spiritual healing. Wounds come in life, sometimes of our own doing, and too often from others’ carelessness and cruelty. Wounds caused by our own sin, or others’ sin of neglect, rejection, abuse, etc. Some parts heal quickly, leaving only a small scar or no scar at all. Other parts, the deep parts that have really cut into us, especially for a longer period of time, take a lot of time, effort, and help.

These are the parts the enemy uses to tell us, “It’s no use, you’ll never be healed.” Or, “Quit bothering God with your troubles. You/they don’t matter enough to Him to deal with, let alone heal you.” Or, “What makes you think you’re worth healing? Why should He even listen to you after what you’ve done (sin(s))?”

So we begin to lose hope, lose faith in Him, even faith in ourselves. We start to wonder if real and complete healing can happen this side of eternity.

It can. Why?

1. The Lord is strong enough to lift any burden, wise enough to solve any problem, and caring enough to heal any hurt.

‘”With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.’” (Mat. 19:26)

This doesn’t just apply to our salvation, but to every situation that requires the supernatural.

2. None of us are beyond the scope of God’s love or care. He’s not only able to heal, He’s willing to do so.

“Nothing can separate us from the love of [God]…” (Rom. 8:35)—not even any of the stuff on that list in following verses!

3. None of us are beyond the scope of His forgiveness. 5:8, 10 remind us:

“But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us… For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life.”

4. When it comes to deep wounds especially, focus on the progress. The journey may be long, but He’s with us every step of the way, even carrying us when we need it. Use that time to soak in His presence and wisdom. Then, rejoice—not only in the healing process, but the character growth He works in us along the way!

“for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.” (Phil. 2:13)

5. As with physical wounds, we can minimize emotional/spiritual wounds and take responsibility for quicker, more effective, recovery. Take the “compression sock” off as soon as possible or at least get it adjusted, before the wound gets worse (I wish I’d said something about those socks sooner)! And get advice and help from wise friends and professionals to aid in proper healing.

So take heart when “hope deferred makes the heart sick…” (Prov. 13;12). Healing comes in layers. “Layers, my foot!” say the skeptics. Yep, that’s the model!