When Time Heals All Wounds

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This week, I was at the RVA4WELLNESS farm having a wonderful couple of days completely off the grid. 

One of the most repeated statements in grief work from clients is, “Well, you know Johanna, time heals all wounds.” 

But does it? 

I know plenty of people who have died with bitterness, unforgiveness, and never let a day go by without almost heaping pain upon themselves because of a life-altering loss. Did time heal their wounds? 

The equation most people this is true is:  time = change

This equation is probably more true: time + intention* = change

*Please note that intention is not intensity. Intention is praying for something specific. Intention is having a goal. Intention is moving yourself toward something. 

Okay, so here is something I’ve been trying to wrap my head around: If God is outside of time and space, what does this mean for healing and change? 

There are plenty of scriptural references to this idea, but what is the application? 

“… with the Lord, one day is a thousand years…” (1 Peter 3:8)

“For a thousand years in your sight are but yesterday when it has passed…” (Psalm 90:4) 

“‘I am the Alpha and the Omega’ says the Lord…” (Revelation 1:8) 

Time was created for us, not for God. God is love. God is unchangeable. 

There are two reason why this is important: 

  1. If there was no time,we would have to experience everything at one time.
  2. If there was no time, we wouldn’t get to experience the wonders of change. 

Here is the important thing to note: Change occurs when you want it to! 

So, let’s go on a little journey: 

  1. Imagine yourself 20 years ago. Step into the person you were. Look at the life around you—look at where you were living, who were the prominent figures, and where you were working. What were you struggling with? 
  2. Now, look at your life today. What has significantly changed? What did you think would change that hasn’t? 
  3. What exists in your life that you would like to change? What might time do for you? What might you need to do intentionally to bring about this change? What prayer do you need to accompany this change? Be as specific as possible. 
  4. What was coming to the surface as you thought about this? Maybe it was an emotion, a narrative, a physical feeling, or an image. Capture what is coming up. 

If this is something you’d like to discuss further, please remember to schedule a 60-minute session with me for free.