Looking for bandages for the soul

He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.

-Psalm 147:3

We've all had a broken heart, haven't we? Times of sadness or disappointment. Feelings of hopelessness.

Been there.

This Psalm writer tells us that God gives us hope, though, applying the bandage we need for these wounds of inward pain to heal.

Those bandages might not be easy to see during some of those times of heartbroken loss. But don't lose hope - seek his healing of the soul.

'Pierced for our transgressions'

But he was pierced for our transgressions,
he was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was upon him,
and by his wounds we are healed.

-Isaiah 53:5

From Korea 2006

Today, we call it Good Friday. It is a day to consider the day that Jesus suffered on a cross, died for our own transgressions.

Isaiah wrote it long before. It came to pass. The nails and spear pierced him. Crucifixion involves the increasingly crushing sensation for a person's lungs. He was punished, yet brought peace who follow him. He was terribly wounded - giving us access to God's ultimate healing touch.

It is a Good Friday.

'You have been healed'

He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed.

-1 Peter 2:24

Anyone perfect out there? With no defect, never ill, always right?

Follow him, and all your wounds, all your infirmities, will fall away. Follow him, and you will see.

Beliefnet: Health and Healing

A Web resource worth checking out, especially the particular entry on stroke information on the Web site Beliefnet: Health and Healing.

Lots of other material that can be related to stroke survivors, family members and caregivers, including weight loss, fatigue, stress and depression, can be found on the main Health and Healing page.