We often hear the phrase, “Time heals,” but does it? The short answer is “no” it does not. Time in and of itself provides no healing, only distance and/or separation. It gives us a distance between the hurt and our healing from the hurt. Time separates us from the actual incident, but it’s up to us to use that time for seeking personal healing. 

Time allows us to seek forgiveness from the one we hurt or to offer forgiveness to the one who hurt us. Perhaps the depth of the hurt relates to how much time it takes for us to face our emotions or better said, our reactions to our thoughts about the incident. Time allows the intensity of the situation to subside a bit while it gives us a reprieve to think more clearly and to respond more accurately.  

James 1:19 reminds us to be “…slow to speak, quick to listen and slow to become angry.” It’s an easy verse to read, but a difficult one to walk out, especially when you’re nursing a hurt. 

Let’s be honest. We’re not hurt by things or stuff; we’re hurt by people. The closer we are to someone the greater the hurt can be. That’s why family wounds can hurt the most and also why we can carry them the longest. 

Here is some really good news when it comes to carrying hurts:

Our heavenly Father is close to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit (Psalm 34:18). He heals our hearts and He binds up our wounds (Psalm 147:3). Jesus told us that blessed are those who mourn, they will be comforted (Matthew 5:4).