know
grow
show
These are all words that God is using in my life in this 90 challenge of healing.
To KNOW Him more intimately.
To GROW in areas of neglect and weakness.
To SHOW me the places that are still in need of His healing touch.
And until this morning, I didn’t realize that each of these words contains the word OW!
OW as in ouch, that hurts.
This actually makes sense to my simple mind.
The more that I come to KNOW Him, the more I am overwhelmed by the condition of my heart without Him. As I come into an even more intimate KNOWledge of Him, I ache over the sin in me that grieves Him.
OW!
As I begin to take baby steps of GROWth, as the muscles of newfound faith begin to emerge and GROW, there is pain. As I try new ways of thinking, of reacting, of responding I feel the GROWing pains and the stretch marks of slow progress associated with it. Baby steps are not without tumbling, falling and failing. Real GROWTH is defined by taking that next step after failure.
OW!
When Jesus SHOWs me those areas deep inside that need attention and healing, I want to look away, to ignore the blood and gore. It’s not pretty. When He gently points to and SHOWs me broken places that haven’t healed correctly, He also offers to reset the offending “bones”, a process that essentially means re-breaking a part of me so I can be whole again.
OW!
Why would a person subject themselves to such inner turmoil?
Because there is something beautiful on the other side!!!!
The OW will turn to OH!
KNOW will become KNOH!
GROW will transform to GROH!
SHOW will morph into SHOH!
And in new moments of wonder, of aha, my heart will cry “OH!”
This is what makes each moment between here and there worth it….
James 1:4 – Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
Proverbs 4:20-22 – My son, pay attention to what I say; listen closely to my words. Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart; for they are life to those who find them and health to a man’s whole body.
Psalm 30:2 – O LORD my God, I called to you for help and you healed me.
Psalm 147:3 – He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.
Jeremiah 17:14 – Heal me, O LORD, and I will be healed; save me and I will be saved, for you are the one I praise.
Will you kindly explain what you are doing, using, reading to “do” your 90 days of healing? Thanks, Jana!
Take good care.
Good question! I’m not reading anything in particular, other than the bible. My focus is entirely there in this healing process with the exception of reading commentaries on certain verses, etc. It’s not that I don’t believe in getting input from other people and their perspective and experience (that’s what I offer on this blog!), I think wise counsel from others is huge and important. But during this particular “experiment”, I am focusing on the intimacy of just me and Jesus and what HE says about my healing and growth. I would say the main thing I am “doing” is taking more time to listen to Him, keeping my eyes open for things He is trying to show me specifically about healing, and journaling each day to be able to look back and see what He’s done in my heart after 90 days. I don’t have a formula. I am just being dedicated and deliberate to recognizing His nudges and responding immediately, be it the smallest of brave little steps! Prayer, prayer and more prayer… 🙂 It has been both grueling and wonderful each day. I’m certain this 90 days will morph into a life time change. Thanks so much for asking, and I hope that helps a little. 🙂