Do you wonder how to heal painful memories? Can God heal our painful memories?
Here is a sneak peek of my guest post at Medium.com for Koinonia about the healing of painful memories.
In the first months and years after the unexpected death of my husband, my mind and heart could not process the traumatic experience. The memories of his last hours in the hospital and me, saying goodbye to his unrecognizable, bruised body are forever brandished in my mind.
Whenever I envisioned this hospital room and his body, I pulled away mentally like from a burning fire. I could not stand the pain. I could not revisit the memory for months.
Then there are all the other memories–the memories of our happy life together. I didn’t know these memories would be so painful after his death. They just magnified my unfathomable loss.
Is healing possible for these painful memories? And how can this happen?
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Emotional Healing Is Possible with God
I found the answer in one verse in the book of Job, to which I kept coming again and again.
“You will surely forget your trouble, recalling it only as waters gone by. Life will be brighter than noonday, and darkness will become like morning.” (Job 11:16-17 NIV)
Is it possible that we forget our trouble, recalling it only as waters gone by?
When I first read these words in my Bible, I just blinked in utter unbelief. I thought, “no way, there is absolutely no way that I can forget my current pain and trouble.”
Friend, I don’t know what your trouble is or what it was and what painful memories are tormenting your soul. But this verse reminds us today that with God, emotional healing is possible.
God can and will bring healing to our memories, taking the pain and the deadly sting out of them. We will remember but without painful feelings. We will be set free and healed.
God can and will bring healing to our memories, taking the pain and the deadly sting out of them. #healing #memories #pain Share on XHow to Heal Painful Memories
Emotional healing is a process. It takes time, and it takes faith and trust. We need to hold on to Jesus and His desire to make us overcomers. The process of healing takes effort from our side to face our pains and struggles, and to surrender to God’s will every day.
Here are 4 steps on the way to healing.
Read the rest of the post at Medium.com and be strengthened and encouraged.
More Encouragement for You
Friend, if you are in a season of grief and pain, you may also want to check my “BOOK OF COMFORTS”.
In this book you’ll find comfort when you struggle with unmet expectations, disillusionment in faith, when you are in a season of pain, when your hope diminishes, when life gets hard, and much more. Reflection questions and a guided prayer follow each devotion.
Additionally, I can recommend highly these books. They have helped me tremendously in processing my grief. Check them out.
Draw Near: How Painful Experiences Become the Birthplace of Blessings by Hadassah Treu
The Grief Guidebook: Common Questions, Compassionate Answers, Practical Suggestions by Gary Roe
Widowed Walk: Experiencing God After the Loss of a Spouse by Gary Roe
Comfort for the Grieving Spouse’s Heart: Hope and Healing After Losing Your Partner by Gary Roe
A Grace Disguised: How the Soul Grows through Loss by Jerry L. Sittser
A Grace Revealed: How God Redeems the Story of Your Life by Jerrry L. Sittser
Life Can Be Good Again by Lisa Appelo
Restoration Year – a 365 Days Devotional by John Eldredge
All Things New by John Eldredge
It’s not supposed to Be This Way by Lisa Terkeurst
This page contains affiliate links, which means I make a small commission at no extra cost to you. The commission I make from these items will help keep this blog going. Thank you!
Your Turn
Which painful memories can you surrender to God today? Share in the comments and on social media if you found this article helpful. Thank you!
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This is such great info on how to heal painful memories. Thanks so much for sharing!
Thanks, Tyler! I am happy you found the post helpful. Blessings!
Hadassah, truly beautiful. Thank you for for showing us God’s faithfulness in healing us.
Thanks so much, Deborah! I am glad the post encouraged you. Blessings to you!
This is such great info on how to heal painful memories. Thanks so much for sharing!
Thanks, Charity! It is great you found this post helpful! Blessings!
So many times we forget that grief happens more than when we are dealing with death. Bad breakups, betrayals, endings in general can bring bad memories. Healing is so necessary. Thank you for sharing this great reminder.
Thanks, Angel! Yes, you are right – losses and grief are part of everyone’s life. That’s why so many people struggle with painful memories and need healing.
Such a moving and powerful post on how to heal painful memories. You provide such amazing candor and thought in all your posts. Thank you for sharing your story and the power of the scriptures.
Thanks so much, Debbie! I appreciate your encouraging and kind words! I am happy my posts speak to you… Blessings!
Hadassah,
Healing is possible. It requires time and patience, but the Lord is faithful. May the difficult memories fade and the joyous ones remain, friend.
Peace and grace to you,
Tammy
Thanks so much, Tammy! Your words are always so gracious and tender, friend… Blessings to you!
I appreciate your openness about this topic. Thank you for sharing.
Thanks, Amy! I am glad you found the post helpful. Blessings!