When someone goes through a painful experience, people often say, “Time will heal.” But is that really true? I believe it’s not. Time alone doesn’t heal—it’s what we choose to do with that time that allows healing to happen.
If something painful happens and you don’t confront it, hoping time will eventually heal your heart, bitterness may only deepen. I’ve seen people wait for “time to heal,” only for them to become more hurt and frustrated as unresolved pain bubbles up, sometimes even exploding in ways they don’t expect.
I know this personally. I’ve walked through things in my past that I never fully faced, which came out in the form of a 19-year battle with addiction. Giving up drugs and alcohol didn’t solve everything—it simply peeled back the layers, revealing the anger and pain I’d buried. My wife, Sandy, saw my anger in ways she never had before, especially after I’d stopped drinking. For almost a year, I struggled with anger I couldn’t understand. I finally had to face those root issues head-on.
Real healing didn’t come just from asking God to remove my addictions; it came when I surrendered the deeper causes of those addictions to Him. I had to forgive myself for my past and for the underlying reasons that fed my choices. I also had to forgive others who had hurt me in my younger years. The journey was rocky, but once I identified and dealt with those hidden wounds, I was able to release them to God and experience true freedom.
Our church played a huge role in that process. God began guiding me toward resources and people who helped me to finally start healing from my past wounds. Now, looking back, I can say that I hold no resentment toward those who wronged me. Through Christ, I’ve found a new peace and freedom I never thought possible.
What Steps Are You Taking to Heal?
If you’re holding onto pain, hoping it will disappear on its own, understand that time alone can make things worse if left unaddressed. Pushing down your hurts may temporarily cover them, but one day they’ll resurface. You may even be using addictions as I did—pain’s way of masking deeper issues.
Take some time to reflect: why do certain habits or behaviors keep showing up in your life? The sooner you uncover the root causes, the sooner you can turn them over to Christ for true healing.
Seeking Help with God’s Guidance
It’s essential to remember that seeking help doesn’t mean relying on God any less. In fact, God often works through the people, resources, and guidance around us. You may find that seeking counseling, joining a support group, or getting mentorship becomes a part of your healing journey. God’s methods differ for everyone, and He may lead you to get help from others as part of His plan.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
Are you ready to confront what’s holding you back and take back control of your life? Are you ready to understand why certain cycles continue in your life? If so, it’s time to bring God back into the picture and let Him start the healing process.
Healing isn’t passive; it’s a journey that requires surrender, action, and faith. When you let God into those hidden places, healing becomes real and lasting. Time doesn’t heal wounds, but God, working through time, can.
Living a God-Inspired Life!
Chris Benton