Hidden Hurt and Helpful Healing

All of us are wounded, damaged, broken and troubled; everyone needs healing. The healing required isn’t always physical. Sometimes it can be emotional scarring, hurt feelings, grief, and the healing of relationships and memories. It’s fascinating how fragile, weak and vulnerable we are.
Many people experience low self-esteem, feelings of inferiority, no self-worth and no confidence. They feel they are no good. The way to healing of this kind is through words of praise, encouragement and affirmation.
Wherever you go today, plant words of encouragement and just watch what happens. The greatest healing therapy of all is friendship. There is more healing done among friends over a cup of tea than in many counselling rooms. We need to take care of one another.
The secret is to learn to live with and cope with the pain and realise it is okay not to be okay. It is not what happens to us but how we deal with what happens. When life hands you a lemon turn it into lemonade. A little bit of encouragement, a kind word and a listening ear can heal.

Terence Harrington OFMCap, The Sacred Heart Messenger, December 2023