Beth and I are spending the week in a beautiful condo on the Outer Banks of North Carolina. When we entered the area we stopped by the local informatin center for brochures. The helpful lady reminded me that it will take a day or so to get used to "Outer Banks time". She said it's a little slower down here than most folks are used to. I liked hearing that. But it reminded me of my life the rest of the time.
Are you part of the “instant” age we now live in? Iphones, blackberrys, instant messaging, and facebook are part of our culture that will not soon fade. With each new invention we become more accustomed to immediate access to information regardless of its relevance to our lives (i.e. most postings on Facebook or Twitter). We want our food fast and our information immediate. For many, not having instant access to information or other people creates stress and anxiety. No one would argue that the pace of our society is faster today than ever before. Time is most often used to measure inefficiency. For this generation there seems to be little value in things taking time to develop. The reality is that time is most valuable in many areas of our lives, in particular the process of healing.
Christian counseling is directly involved with the healing of emotional wounds. Biblical truths are shared to shed light on the lies that have been perpetrated by our Enemy. As the truth of God’s love and purpose are revealed in our lives, new attitudes form and behaviors change. However, the effects of living for a period without the truth leave emotional wounds. Anyone who has experienced childhood abuse can testify to this. Early traumas become imbedded in our thought patterns and become “our truth.” The reversal of these patterns is not an instant process. With all of our progress as a society, there is no pill to speed up the healing of emotional wounds. The healing of emotional wounds begins with renewing the mind with the Truth of Jesus Christ. By faith, the wounded begin to live and think according to the perspective of God, replacing old lies with new ways. While information brings light to the situation, transformation is a process that is worked out over time. In effect, “the Truth” must become “their Truth”. New life and power come through this transformation as the new reality becomes more real than the former lies. This is only accomplished with time. In fact, “instant” healing of emotional wounds is potentially superficial and short lived.
If you are working through the healing of some emotional wounds or trying to counsel those who are, remember the value of time. The process of healing is creating a new foundation for life. Whether the wound is lifelong (abuse, abandonment etc.) or circumstantial (loss of a loved one), time is your ally in recovery. Be patient with yourself and others who hear counsel, yet don’t take immediately to its application. It can be a frightening process to change the foundations of your thinking and feeling. Recall the patience of our Lord Jesus as He works with you. We are all in the process of healing in some way or another. The good news can be found in the bible,
“And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” (Phil 1:6, ESV)
