If there is pain, or struggle, or an unhealthy coping mechanism that you just can’t seem to break free from, the only way you will ever know true deliverance is if you pull it out by the roots. You have to dig deep inside, go straight to the source of the problem, face it head on, and yank it out will all your might. Yes, it will hurt. Yes, there may be a season of sowing tears and heart ache, but if you want to be free…really free…you have to go to the root of the problem.
Wouldn’t it be wonderful if God would zap us with one magical finger every time we had an emotional breakdown, addiction, or sin issue in our lives – that we could experience instant, gratifying healing? I know there have been many times when I’ve been in a heap of hurt and brokenness, and my first thought has been, “If God would just hit me with his best shot, I would be happy, renewed, and ready to take on the world.” For whatever reason, God has never chosen to do anything instantly in my life. On the contrary, he has allowed me to go through long and painful seasons of discovery and healing. I am human, and I would much prefer instant gratification. However, just as we all have to learn delayed gratification in our day-to-day lives, God knows that many times instant healing would never allow us to learn, grow, and uncover the deeper mystery of our Heavenly Father. If I truly want to walk in freedom, I have to allow God to literally uproot my life. I have to allow him complete access to dig deep inside, reveal the root of my issues, and then pull them out. Otherwise, all I am getting is a counterfeit healing.
I don’t know about you, but I want real healing. I want something that is going to last, and I want to walk away complete in him. Weeds that simply get a nice trim are still weeds, and they will grow back. Weeds that have been pulled out by the root are gone for good, and that’s the kind of healing that I want. Healing that is done for good.
How do we do this? Where do we start?
First, recognize and admit there is a problem in your life. Come to grips with the dysfunction, and stop trying to avoid facing the facts.
Second, reach out to God. Ask him for his help, and surrender your life to his hands.
Third, surround yourself with godly people whom you trust that can be a support, provide accountability, and walk through this journey of healing alongside you. We have been given the church – the Body of Christ – as a gift. Not just a group of people to hang out with and enjoy a good bar-b-que with from time to time (which is wonderful, for sure), but a group of people that will speak truth in love and offer authentic friendship. Don’t be afraid to reach out.
Fourth, as the Body of Christ is doing its work, you, too, must do your work. Be proactive in the healing process. The longer you wait, holding out for God to zap you, the longer you delay your day of freedom.
When Jesus healed in the Bible, it was never just that one issue that the person brought to him. His healing was always, and is still always, multi-dimentional. He healed the whole person, from the inside out. I realize these four steps may seem a bit simplified, but they are a start to delving deeper to the root of your problem, and allowing God to uproot your life multi-dimensionally.
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Wow! A counterfeit healing. That is something for me to really think about… because I want the real thing!