Talking about healing is both dangerous and divine.
On one hand discussions about healing are divine because it is good and right. When I meet someone in the foster or adoption community who chooses to stay hurt or wounded, I have more questions than answers.
Healing leads to being whole and healthy. And it is possible.
One of the most comforting verses in the Bible is—
He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.
Psalm 147:3 ESV
What a beautiful picture and promise. God is the great healer—masterful at fixing what humans cannot—and so I believe restoration is what we should want for our lives and for those we love. Even if we know the road will be rough and rocky.
*A quick note
Sometimes, to achieve wholeness in our lives or the lives of our children, it’s time to see a doctor or counselor who can help at a biologic or metabolic level. If that is what you or your child needs, then pursue it without shame for the glory of God.
Healing is good and right and achievable.
But can also be dangerously miscommunicated or misunderstood.
Specifically as it relates to our foster or adoption stories, let’s start by clarifying what healing is not.
Healing is not—
- a destination
- a solo project
- comfortable
- inevitable
- linear
- passive
- quick
Instead of trying to address each of these seven thoughts here (because I love you and don’t want to write a post that’s 85,000 words long), I’m going to write a post about each of them over time.
Bottom line: There is a place of belonging for each of us in the Person and work of Jesus Christ. I believe wholeness ultimately comes from learning a new way to view our pain and translate our stories.
We just need to figure out how.
But first, a word to those outside the faith community.