When King David penned the phrase, He restores my soul, what did he mean? What does restoration look like for us as believers? The Hebrew word restore, means to bring back, repair, pay back, and refresh. Who doesn’t need restoration of some kind?
Too many of us race through life with an unhealed soul. The result? We stuff thoughts and feelings of shame, insecurity, fear, and rejection. And, we miss out on the joy, freedom, and inexplainable peace that are ours for the taking. So why don’t we lay hold of the restoration God promised us?
I think we’re afraid.
Maybe you wonder, what will happen if I face what festers beneath the surface? It’s in the past, can’t I just leave it there?
Or maybe the pain is so real, so raw, you’re sure it will swallow you whole, so you’ve determined to numb out, ignore the pain, and strive for success. But it’s not working, is it?
Numbing, striving, or achieving aren’t sustainable answers for dealing with the lie that holds us captive. Only the truth will set us free.
Recently on Middays with Susie Larson, I spoke with Dr. Mark Rutland about his book, “Courage to be Healed: Finding Hope to Restore Your Soul.”
Dr. Rutland said that the single most important factor to our inner healing is this: Courage.
It takes courage to face our hurts, our losses, and worse yet, our traumas. But Jesus promises to meet us there and to walk us through the healing process.
Dr. Rutland writes:
Salvation does what it does. It forgives us our sins and puts us in right relationship with an eternal God. It does not make us perfect. It does not heal all our hurts or all the unexplainable behaviors that are so contrary to what we believe. It does not necessarily make us whole. The born-again, Spirit filled believer may still need healing.
He identified these fierce opponents to our healing:
- Shame
- Unforgiveness
- Rejection
- Condemnation
- Fear
Every one of us picked up a few lies when life let us down. Jesus wants to help us sort through our story in a way that brings healing, wholeness, strength and wisdom. We cannot help others get free if we ourselves are not free.
Our Redeemer has come! And one of His objectives was to destroy the work of the enemy.
The thief approaches with malicious intent, looking to steal, slaughter, and destroy; I came to give life with joy and abundance.
Don’t be afraid to pursue healing. You may need a good counselor or a faithful mentor. We’re not meant to sort through our story alone. But I challenge you, friend, go after the freedom that Jesus paid such a high price for. Be strong and courageous, for the Lord is with you wherever you go. And make no mistake about it: He wants you free.