Emotional Scars; taking care of them
Have you ever noticed how much resistance we have when it comes to taking really good care of ourselves? It’s not that we aren't capable of self-care, but that self-care has such a negative connotation for us.
It’s very difficult to admit that we need to take some time off, or take a vacation, or find someone we trust to talk to, or someone to help us that won’t be judgmental; with no agenda and no opinions.
When did we start the belief that taking time out for ourselves is selfish? After all, we have our families, our children, and our jobs… our responsibilities to think about.
Too often we dive right back into our usual routines without taking the time to process and reflect on the emotional storm that has affected us so profoundly. When our almost 17 year old son, Jack, died instantly in a car crash that I survived, I didn't take the time to "heal my soul". Instead I jumped right back in to the thick of things a mere three months later. And it caused a lot of deep pain and problems not only for me, but also for a lot of dear, dear precious people.
If you suffer a major illness or a heart attack, you’re forced to remain in the hospital for a prescribed amount of time. This requires you to be still and rest in order to recover. We accept this without question or reservation.
Yet we don't want to believe that our mind and emotions need similar recovery time especially after a death in the family or a divorce or some other major emotional trauma. It doesn’t make any sense. Rest and recovery is necessary after any trauma - whether the trauma is physical or emotional.
These events affect you both physically and emotionally. The key is to put in place all the wise support you can so that you can recover as quickly as possible.
You'll always have the "scar" which is far better than living with an open wound which will always get infected if not allowed to properly close. So it is with an emotional wound chosen to be left open... it'll fester with bitter, chronic pain. Forgiveness of yourself and others is the key to healing. Let the wound close. Find your healing only in God's Word and your support in the love of wise people. The scar will always be there to remind you of God's grace, mercy and His Love. The storms of life will always come and go... choose to grow stronger with each one.
Maintaining a healthy diet, exercising regularly, and talking or journaling about your feelings can help you cope... and take better care of yourself.
It’s very difficult to admit that we need to take some time off, or take a vacation, or find someone we trust to talk to, or someone to help us that won’t be judgmental; with no agenda and no opinions.
When did we start the belief that taking time out for ourselves is selfish? After all, we have our families, our children, and our jobs… our responsibilities to think about.
Too often we dive right back into our usual routines without taking the time to process and reflect on the emotional storm that has affected us so profoundly. When our almost 17 year old son, Jack, died instantly in a car crash that I survived, I didn't take the time to "heal my soul". Instead I jumped right back in to the thick of things a mere three months later. And it caused a lot of deep pain and problems not only for me, but also for a lot of dear, dear precious people.
If you suffer a major illness or a heart attack, you’re forced to remain in the hospital for a prescribed amount of time. This requires you to be still and rest in order to recover. We accept this without question or reservation.
Yet we don't want to believe that our mind and emotions need similar recovery time especially after a death in the family or a divorce or some other major emotional trauma. It doesn’t make any sense. Rest and recovery is necessary after any trauma - whether the trauma is physical or emotional.
These events affect you both physically and emotionally. The key is to put in place all the wise support you can so that you can recover as quickly as possible.
You'll always have the "scar" which is far better than living with an open wound which will always get infected if not allowed to properly close. So it is with an emotional wound chosen to be left open... it'll fester with bitter, chronic pain. Forgiveness of yourself and others is the key to healing. Let the wound close. Find your healing only in God's Word and your support in the love of wise people. The scar will always be there to remind you of God's grace, mercy and His Love. The storms of life will always come and go... choose to grow stronger with each one.
Maintaining a healthy diet, exercising regularly, and talking or journaling about your feelings can help you cope... and take better care of yourself.
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