The other day, I decided that I was going to “teach” my two teenage boys how to lift weights. When I was young, I was very strong; never mind that it has been 16 or 18 years since I have seriously lifted.
After a few sets in the gym, I found that my boys could push a lot of weights. I didn’t want to let them outdo me (after all, I was teaching them), so, I pressed myself… hard.
Despite my poor form and too heavy weights, everything seemed fine during and immediately following our workout. It was not until four days later that I realized that I had a huge knot on one arm around and below my elbow.
I called the doctor thinking it was going to be an easy fix. The first doctor I saw was afraid it was a blood clot, so she referred me to a second. The second doctor was perplexed with the knot, so he referred me to the emergency room. Seven hours and (I’m sure) a high ER bill later, I finally had a diagnosis . . . and a prescription for anti-inflammatory pills. Thinking back, the strange thing about the injury was that I hurt my bicep; however, the swollen knot appeared below my elbow, not even on the compromised muscle.
The knot made me think about the individuals that I see for counseling. People often come into the clinic experiencing a host of various symptoms. Sometimes they report intense fear or depression, stomachaches or throat issues, a racing heart or anger problems. Other times they describe obsessive thoughts or compulsive actions, physical ailments that move around, or substance addictions that can’t seem to be resolved. I listen to the symptoms but realize that the real problem is usually something that has hurt them in a “different” place.
Few of us go through life unscathed. All of us carry wounds- physical, emotional, or mental hurts that if left untreated can “wreck havoc” on our bodies and our minds. The point of therapy is to identify the “hurt places” and reteach the subconscious how to deal with them correctly.
The Bible tells us in Isaiah 53:5, “But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed” (KJV). The word for “peace” in that verse comes from the Hebrew word “shalom” which means wholeness in every aspect of your life- body, mind, and relationships. In other words, Jesus came to heal the hurt places in every area of your life.
I believe that at times when we pray, God heals us instantly. At other times I believe that he uses people and situations to help identify and heal our wounds, visible and invisible.
Be encouraged that whatever you are facing, God is working things out for you. His plan is to move you from hurt to wholeness.
Join me on Monday as we begin a one week Bible study. We will be looking at scriptures so that we can move from hurt to healing. The Bible study will last five minutes or less per day. Just read, comment (either on my blog or on the Living Imperfectly Perfect Facebook page), and discuss!
And by the way. . . my elbow is much better! 😊!!!
Thanks for reading!
Love ya!
Robin :)!
Living Imperfectly Perfect 
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