Healing 101, Part #4

Four Arenas of Healing (and How We Practice)

1) Physical Healing

We pray boldly for bodies. Sometimes God heals instantly (we’ve seen it). Sometimes through surgery, meds, rehab, and time. Sometimes not yet. Jesus heals Jairus’s daughter. He also gets tired and sleeps in boats. Both truths belong in church.

Practices:

• Ask for prayer after service; we’ll anoint with oil and pray the prayer of faith (Jas. 5).

• See your doctor. Take your meds. Ask God to bless your care team.

• Offer your body as a living sacrifice—rest, move, hydrate, eat real food (Rom. 12:1).

2) Emotional Healing

“God heals the brokenhearted” (Ps. 147:3). Emotional healing takes time, safety, and truth.

Practices:

• Name it. Journal what hurts. Invite a trusted friend to hear it without fixing.

• Reframe it. Use a simple CBT move: “What’s the thought? What’s the evidence? What’s a truer thought I can practice?” Pair it with prayer: “Jesus, what do you say?”

• Normalize help. Therapy is not a faith failure. It’s wisdom.

3) Relational Healing

Sometimes reconciliation looks like hugs and a shared meal. Sometimes it looks like a wise boundary and a calm heart. Healing here may mean we stop bleeding from old cuts and carry scars that don’t rule us.

Practices:

• Truth + Grace. Speak the truth in love (Eph. 4:15).

• Boundaries. Jesus walked away from crowds and said “no” at times. You can too.

• Repair when possible; release when necessary. “As far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all” (Rom. 12:18).

4) Spiritual Healing

We’re integrated creatures. Shame, fear, and lies about God warp us. Spiritual healing is coming home to a God who calls you “Beloved.”

Practices:

• Daily Examen (5 minutes). Where did I sense God? Where did I feel broken? What do I want to hand to God?

• Breath Prayer. Inhale: “Jesus, Son of David…” Exhale: “…have mercy on me.”

Scripture as medicine. Try Mark 5 this week. Sit in the story. Imagine Jesus turning to you.