Years ago, after Leslie’s painful divorce, she made a solemn promise to herself and to the Lord that she would prioritize her relationship with Him above all else. Her marriage had been tumultuous from the start. After enlisting, the man she longed to marry, Jeffrey, didn’t return to their hometown after completing his military service. He had been kind and very loving, imploring her to marry him before he enlisted, but Leslie yearned for adventure. She craved the freedom to explore the world during her twenties, unencumbered by marital responsibilities.

Jeffrey, stationed in California, waited for her, but time and distance took their toll. Leslie’s heart shattered when she learned he had found someone else. Determined to move forward, she married another man at the age of twenty-six. He promised her the world, but behind closed doors, he inflicted mental and physical wounds. At thirty-two, God rescued Leslie from that abusive relationship. With scars and the fear of being hurt again, she vowed never to marry again.

Psalm 147:3(NLT) affirms God’s willingness and power to heal our brokenness: “He heals the brokenhearted and bandages their wounds.”  Whether it’s emotional, physical, mental, or spiritual, when we humbly ask Him, God intervenes with His unfailing healing power, bringing restoration that transcends our expectations. It’s not a partial healing. It’s the kind of healing that penetrates deeply, causing us to be stronger and more resilient than we ever imagined. Gone are the days of cowering in a corner. We’ve found boldness and confidence in our faith towards God. Because of our increased commitment to study His Word and pray more often to Him, we’re not waiting for the other shoe to drop. Instead, we’re excited about the new possibilities and opportunities He will bring our way. This is the posture of confidence that all believers should have.

While God’s healing power is mighty and transformative, we must also know that fear will obstruct this plan. Fear can pose a significant barrier to experiencing His full restoration. When we face deep emotional wounds, there is a natural inclination to protect ourselves by withdrawing and erecting walls around our hearts. This response, though understandable, can hinder the healing process that God intends for us.

In 1 John 4:18 (NLT), our Heavenly Father teaches us that by embracing His love, believers are freed from fear. This verse states: “Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love.” The love that God expresses through His healing power isn’t some abstract idea. God’s power and love changes us. It affects how we think about ourselves, how we treat others, and how we face tough times. Fear can block this transformation and make us comfortable with holding it in our hearts, like Leslie did.

It often manifests in various forms—fear of vulnerability, fear of being hurt again, or even fear of facing the pain of our past. These fears can lead us to isolate ourselves, shutting out not only potential harm but also the possibility of receiving God’s healing touch and all the wonderful blessings and opportunities that come with it.

God calls us to confront our fears with faith! He invites us to trust in His promises of restoration and to surrender our brokenness into His capable hands. This requires a deliberate choice to open our hearts to Him, allowing His love and healing grace to penetrate even the deepest wounds. This is what the psalmist did as Psalm 34:4(NIV) affirms: “I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.”  When we actively seek God in prayer, study His Word, and lean on His strength, He empowers us to overcome fear and embrace the journey of healing with courage and hope. In scripture, we are reminded countless times to “fear not” and to trust in God’s unfailing love and provision. This is the medicine we desperately need.

In Isaiah 41:10 (NIV), God told His people living in Old Testament times, “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” This timeless promise holds just as much power today as it did then. God doesn’t expect us to ignore our fears or pretend they don’t exist. It’s natural to feel afraid, especially in the face of potential heartbreak. However, we are encouraged to confront these fears courageously. We need to trust God even when we feel afraid. When we do this, God’s healing can start breaking down those walls inside us, paving the way for profound emotional and spiritual restoration.

Relationships fall apart sometimes, and people inevitably get hurt, but the goal and result of God’s healing isn’t fear of loving deeply again. It’s loving deeply through Him, so that we’re loving from a place of wholeness, hope, faith, and strength.

Marriage is God’s institution. It’s the one He established to foster unity and support between men and women who choose to journey together through life. Fear has no part to play in this sacred union. We must be strong in our faith and not let fear control us, because this is the way we make space for God’s blessings in our lives. So, let’s keep seeking God’s guidance and presence. As the wisdom of 1John 4:18 tells us, His perfect love is powerful enough to drive out all fear. It gives us the freedom and confidence to navigate our relationships boldly, according to His divine plan for our lives. ■

Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Scripture taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.

“God’s Healing Power”, written by Fran Mack. Edits by Kim Times and K. Lizzie for Sundie Morning Sistas ©2024. All rights reserved. All done to the glory of God through Jesus Christ, our Lord! SMS is dedicated to inspiring and encouraging Christian Women through the Word of God.