Bandages

He heals the brokenhearted and bandages their wounds.

Psalm 147:3

When I went to the drugstore recently, I couldn’t believe the selection of bandages available! There were extreme lengths, pain and itch relief, quick stop (stops bleeding faster), advanced healing, antibiotic, gentle care, knuckle and fingertip, sheer, clear, transparent, waterproof, tattoo-designed, pop art, glitter, cartoon characters, even pink bandages! The decorated ones, especially with smiley faces on them, made me laugh!

Of course, I know that bandages are for minor cuts and scrapes, not for the deeper wounds made by a person’s offhand remark or those we suffer when someone else receives credit for the hard work that we’ve put in.

Over the years, I have learned that no earthly bandage can heal my broken heart or cure my emotional wounds. Sometimes I resort to my own remedies, like SweetFrog frozen yogurt. But that’s a momentary salve. Healing is God’s job. He doesn’t just apply a temporary bandage either; He is the surgeon who cuts to the core of my heart and brings sweet relief to my soul.

Of course, God uses His people as big bandages for other hurting people. The apostle Paul talked about that in 2 Corinthians 1:4: “He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.” You and I may be used by God to visit a sick person, sit by someone’s hospice bed and hold his or her hand, write a note, provide a meal, read Scripture, sing hymns, or start an encouraging card ministry like my sweet friend Jayne did. We cannot change heartbreaking situations for people we love. Only one kind of procedure does it all, and it is no bandage. It is a full-blown heart transplant when you give your life to Jesus Christ.

Next time you’re in the store aisle with all the bandages, think of your Soul Surgeon and your ultimate Healer, Jesus Christ!