As a child, I was delighted when my two older brothers gave me a swing set. They were both brick masons, and the job site leftovers provided the needed cast iron pipe and co-workers who could weld together the necessary framing for a very heavy, homemade swing set. It was massive, and it looked so strong that no one ever thought it would fall.

One late summer afternoon, my brother, Billy, offered to push me on the swing. I loved the exhilaration of swinging! I’m sure I was screaming, “Higher, higher” when the structure of the swing set failed. As the pipes and the crossbar flew, I landed motionless on my back on the ground. The crossbar struck my head on the front right side as it made its way to the ground. Blood spewed everywhere! My frightened brother quickly took me to see my mother. I assured her I was alright but from the horrified look on her face, I knew she didn’t believe me. Like water after a shampoo, blood flowed down my face and onto my clothes. I don’t remember a lot of the details, but I do remember being in the doctor’s office, which scared me more than the accident!

The doctor cut the hair around the deep cut, cleaned it, and began sewing together the gaping flesh. I heard him say, “It almost fractured her skull.”  I drifted to sleep wondering what he meant. Little did I know that I had narrowly escaped brain damage.

It has been many years since that childhood accident, but I still see the scar every day when I brush my hair. I am thankful for the swift action of the physician who removed the obstacles to my healing, cleansed, and repaired the damaged skin, and protected the area with a special covering until I could heal completely.

In life, there is always the potential for being wounded, physically, emotionally, or spiritually. How we care for those wounds determines our recovery. The Great Physician is the source of cleansing and repair in all three areas. Many times, we camp out at the accident, to assign blame, seek answers to why, or rehearse what could have been done to prevent it. The longer we wait until we see the Great Physician, the greater the chance of life-giving blood loss, infection, or disfigurement. Our bodies and our emotions were created to heal; to regenerate after trauma but we must be willing to seek the Healer for help. He only knows how deep the wound is and how much recovery time will be needed. The scripture says in Psalms 147: 3 (NLT) “He heals the brokenhearted and bandages their wounds.”

Isaiah 1:5-6 (NLT) describes the condition of Judah, “Why do you continue to invite punishment? Must you rebel forever? Your head is injured, and your heart is sick. You are battered from head to foot—covered with bruises, welts, and infected wounds— without any soothing ointments or bandages.”  Judah had what we call “self-inflicted” wounds. Whether caused by others or by us, Jesus is the healer!

You may be in denial as I was when I told my Mom I was all right after the swing set accident. You may need someone in your life that you can trust who will tell you the truth and will get you to the healer. Wounds take care and time. There is no instant recovery, but there is recovery.

For many years I carried the emotional wounds of my childhood. Rejection, shame, abandonment, and fear oozed through my emotions because of the actions of my parents. One day I realized the Great Physician could heal my emotional wounds in such a way that others would be attracted to me instead of repelled by my ghastly past. I visited the Great Physician and began the healing process.

Jesus was not shy about the things he suffered on the cross. He openly showed the disciples the wounds he endured. John 20:19-21 (NLT) “ That Sunday evening the disciples were meeting behind locked doors because they were afraid of the Jewish leaders. Suddenly, Jesus was standing there among them! “Peace be with you,” he said. As he spoke, he showed them the wounds in his hands and his side. They were filled with joy when they saw the Lord! Again, he said, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I am sending you.” The Holy Spirit had raised Jesus from the dead – and had healed him.

Your wounds can be a testimony to the resurrection power of God if you will allow the process to begin. Move from denial, blame, questioning why, and being afraid into the transformative healing of the scars of your life!