How to receive emotional healing

Life throws some painful times at us. While amid aching darkness it is hard to see the presence of the Lord near us many times. Once we come through the emotionally devasting events in life, we do not come out on the other side unscathed. But healing is possible. Nothing is impossible with the Lord.

There are times when we may become comfortable in our pain and anger. We may have a desire to be healed but find ourselves complacent and committed to staying in our comfort zone, which now includes the pain and anger of the hurt. In order to receive healing, we must desire healing. It seems that the concept should be obvious and a no-brainer, but we get stuck in our ruts of complacency. We may believe we want healing but are too fearful to seek it.

“One man was there who had been ill for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him lying there and knew that he had been ill for a long time, he said to him, ‘Do you want to be well?’” (John 5:4-6)

Although this passage references physical healing, the same concepts apply to any type of healing. This includes emotional healing. Jesus asked the rich man if he wanted to be healed. At first, this seems like a trivial and pointless question. However, the man had dealt with his situation for 38 years. He, perhaps, had found himself in his comfort zone and his illness had been incorporated into that life. It could have just become a part of his life that he had accepted, and thought would never change. Our pains, hurts, and fears can easily become just another part of life and we begin to believe that it will never change. If the ill man had thought nothing would change then he would have never been healed.

Also notice, on the other hand, that Jesus knew he had been ill for a long time. Jesus knows your hurts. He knows your pains. He sees every tear you cry, and he knows how long you have been struggling with the suffering. He is just waiting for you to ask for healing. He is waiting for you to desire healing in your life.

Jesus not only asks those ill if they need healing, he also asks what exactly they want from him. When we make the choice to really desire healing, we must know what that healing will look like. What is your definition of healing? We all want “healing”, but what would being healed look like for you? We also see Jesus ask those who need and desire healing to be specific. When we see Jesus heal the blind man we see an encounter that gives us insight into just what Jesus wants from those of us who are sick emotionally, physical, or spiritually.

“Jesus stopped and said, ‘Call him’. So, they called the blind man, saying to him, ‘Take courage’, get up, he is calling you.’ He threw aside his cloak, sprang up, and came to Jesus. Jesus said to him in reply, ‘What do you want me to do for you?’ The blind man replied to him, ‘Master, I want to see.’” (Mark 10:49-51)

Did you notice the blind man was specific with Christ? He told Jesus he wanted to ‘see’. He was not vague. He did not give a blanket answer such as, ‘I want to be healed’. He told him explicitly that he wanted to “see”. He asked for the healing that he desired. He knew what “healing” would look like for him and that’s what he asked for from Jesus. In return, Jesus granted that request.

If we do not know what healing would look like for us, then we do not know what to ask of the Lord. If we do not ask for tangible and specific things, then it will be hard for us to see the “healing” when it takes place.  Our daily prayers (and if you seek healing then your day must contain time for prayer) should be precise with the Lord and answer His question “what do you want me to do for you?” Just as Jesus asked the blind man that question, he asks us as well. He is asking you what you want him to do. Do you know the answer?

If you are to receive emotional healing from the scars of your past, then you must believe healing is possible. The blind man did not ask Jesus for something he did not believe would happen. If you are to ask the Lord for healing, then you must be confident the Lord will heal you. Realistically, time is not calculated in heaven like it is here and if we do not receive an answer within an hour, a day, a week, or a year then we think God has rejected our request. In fact, He may just be getting started.

“But do not ignore this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years and a thousand years like one day.” (2 Peter 3:8)

Do not box yourself into the calculation of time on a human scale. Do not measure the amount of healing you have received, or lack thereof, on an earthly calendar. God does not operate like that. His clock is much different than ours. Be patient. Be persistent, Be hopeful, and Be obedient. There is healing on the way if you want it. You must desire it, you must know what it looks like, you must ask for it specifically, you must believe it will happen, and you must wait. Be patient. The Lord is drawing near. He sees you.