Knowing you are forgiven and knowing you are healed are two different things. You can know you are forgiven but believing it can be a whole different story, and then add being healed into the mix and now you are on another planet. Lately, I have been struggling with some of my past mistakes and hard lessons learned from my life and of those lessons I am learning the truth of being forgiven. That knowing I’m forgiven doesn’t always translate into being healed.
The forgiveness God gives is eternal and everlasting. When Christ sacrificed Himself on the cross it was not for the forgiveness that we think we might deserve, but the forgiveness that He knew we didn’t deserve. Head knowledge of being forgiven and heart knowledge of knowing you are forgiven are different. Knowing in your heart that you are truly forgiven doesn’t mean that you are healed from the wounds of judgment, bitterness, and resentment inflicted upon you or by you. I know that I am forgiven but I had always imagined that knowing I was forgiven meant I was healed.
Well, God has shown me that knowing I am forgiven doesn’t mean that I am healed. To walk through the hurts of life and stop covering up the deep and bleeding wounds with band-aids, and to actually call on God to heal me. Really heal me. I have realized that healing is a process that can’t be overlooked and is essential in continuing to mature in my walk with Christ. Healing doesn’t mean that God is distressed with me but that He is deeply in love with me; therefore, healing is an essential growth process in drawing closer to Him.
Since I know that I am forgiven, this healing process helps me to believe that I am forgiven because it shows me that God loves me too much to leave me where I am. Healing proves to me that He has and never will leave me nor forsake me. Healing means I am growing in deeper intimacy with Christ and He is walking me through the attributes of His character which I am able to see so much clearer. I am able to see them so much clearer because His love has woken me up.
Papa, I know that this healing process is not easy and I am thankful that it is not because it allows me to see the goodness of Your mercy and the true depth of Your forgiveness. Lord, I will never be able to understand the reasons of Your loving kindness but forever I will be thankful. Thank You Lord for showing me such forgiveness that I may forever declare Your sovereignty and Your everlasting glory. Papa, please continue to take me through this healing process no matter the pain that it entails because joy comes in the morning and I will shout Your glory through it all. Praise and glory belongs to You and You alone forever and ever. Amen.
