Healing Isn't Linear
Backwards days are still part of it.
On slow recovery and patience with yourself.
The big idea
A bad week does not undo the good months.
What does “Healing Isn't Linear” walk through?
He Will Complete It
Philippians 1:6 · KJV
Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:
In plain English
I am sure of this: the one who began a good work in you will carry it through to completion.
Confidence In The Finisher
Paul's confidence is not in the Philippians' consistency. It is in who started the work — which is the only reason a setback is survivable.
Restored Years
Joel 2:25 · KJV
And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpiller, and the palmerworm, my great army which I sent among you.
In plain English
I will give you back the years the locusts ate.
“Progress that includes relapse is still progress. Ask anyone who has actually healed.”
New Every Morning
Lamentations 3:23 · KJV
They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.
In plain English
They are new every morning. Great is your faithfulness.
Count The Direction
The question is not whether you had a bad day. It is which way you are pointed over months, and that is a longer measurement than your feelings can take.
Endurance Is Built
Romans 5:3 · KJV
And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;
In plain English
More than that, we celebrate in our sufferings, because we know suffering produces endurance.
Pray
Jesus, I went backwards. Thank you that you have not. Amen.
Write it down
How far have you actually come in a year?
Keep going
Slow healing is still healing.
Which passages does this journey use?
4 passages, drawn from Philippians 1:6, Joel 2:25, Lamentations 3:23, Romans 5:3. Every verse appears here in the King James text with a plain-English line beside it, so you can read it without a commentary open. Allow about 7 minutes for the whole thing, or 8 short sittings.
- Philippians 1:6
- Joel 2:25
- Lamentations 3:23
- Romans 5:3
Read any of these in full on the complete KJV, or look the wording up independently at Blue Letter Bible.
More in Anxiety, Grief and Rest
All Anxiety, Grief and Rest →When Anxiety Wakes You
For 3am, when the mind will not stop.
Panic And Presence
Ground yourself in something true.
The Fog Of Depression
When nothing feels like anything.
Burnout And The Body
You are not a machine that stopped working.
Grieving Someone You Loved
Sorrow with hope is still sorrow.
When You're The Strong One
Who carries the carrier?