A week ago the doctor declared my broken wrist bone to be healed. The cast was removed revealing an arm that is smaller, weaker and much less flexible. The doctor recommended a month or so of hand therapy.
The cast was essential to stabilize my wrist and allow healing to occur. But one kind of healing created a different set of challenges. Scar tissue, constricted ligaments and tendons, and muscles debilitated from lack of use need to be massaged, stretched and strengthened or I will not regain normal use of my wrist.
Reflecting on my cast led to thoughts about other kinds of defense mechanisms that we use (consciously or not) in response to wounds or breaks in our life. We create walls or boundaries of denial; withdrawal; anger; depression; aggression that protect us in some ways and weaken us in others. Our retreat from confrontation or introspection may be needed for a season but creates challenges to full healing and a return to normal health and well-being.
The massaging, stretching and strengthening needed to regain health and vitality (body, mind, heart, soul and relationships) is difficult and crucial. Therefore, we rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perserverance; perserverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us. Romans 5
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