What gets in the way? Maybe what I need healing from?

Jesus came not just so we may be saved, but also to heal us, to set us captives free, to restore us, and to plant us as oaks of righteousness, plantings for His good glory.

The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me,
Because the Lord has anointed me [Jesus per Luke 4]
To bring good news to the afflicted;
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
To proclaim liberty to captives
And freedom to prisoners;
To proclaim the favorable year of the Lord
And the day of vengeance of our God;
To comfort all who mourn,
To grant those who mourn in Zion,
Giving them a garland instead of ashes,
The oil of gladness instead of mourning,
The mantle of praise instead of a spirit of fainting.
So they will be called oaks of righteousness,
The planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified. IS 61:1-3

Wouldn’t we all want healing, restoration, and hope? You’d think, but we can be our worst enemies, allowing the very things that imprison us to prevent our freedom.

Doubt it? Can any of these identities prevent us from opening the door God is knocking upon (Rev 3:20) that could result in healing?

  • Mr. Stoic, lives alone and aloof
  • Ms. Sarcastic, turns every serious thought into a biting rebuke
  • Mr. Know-it-all, protects his secured position at all costs
  • Ms. Controlling, nothing gets past her tight-fisted grip on the world
  • Mr. Passive, just cruise dude, healing takes an effort
  • Ms. Fortress, even love can’t penetrate her massive heart-surrounding wall
  • Mr. Womanizer, lives a tiny adventure but at least has meaningless conquest
  • Ms. Steamrolled, deserves every bad thing
  • Mr. Jokester, abuses humor to deflect accountability and nearness

God knows how we pose, hide, and control to make ways in our worlds, but He still pursues us relentlessly. It says that we are drawn to repentance by His kindness (Rom 2:4), and we will be drawn to healing by His love.

Sound risky to set aside that which has “worked” so far? Do the postures of your life feel healthy and genuine, or do you sense something just isn’t right? From hundreds of our own stories and many millions beyond, freedom is dramatically better than the imprisonment within which we’ve knowingly or unknowingly lived. Trust His heart, and learn more at our site.  You can also read Wild at Heart or Captivating by John and Stasi Eldredge.