Psalm 55:12-13 For it is not an enemy who taunts me— then I could bear it; it is not an adversary who deals insolently with me— then I could hide from him. But it is you, a man, my equal, my companion, my familiar friend.
There are different levels of hurts and wounds. Physical pain can be categorized as acute pain or chronic pain (long term pain). Acute pain is a sudden stabbing pain that lasts for a limited period of time but chronic pain lasts longer and will be unremitting and overwhelming. Emotional pain can be just as agonizing as physical pain. Emotional and physical pain activates the same regions of the brain. Anterior cingulate cortex (pACC) is a key brain area that is responsible for processing unpleasant emotions caused by physical pain as well as negative emotions. Science also gives us sufficient evidence that emotional pain can cause prolonged health conditions.
Emotional pain like physical trauma can be acute or chronic. Betrayal, bickering or blame can cause acute emotional pain. Normally it is short-lived and fades away when we reconcile with the person who caused the harm. However, acute pain can turn into chronic pain if we hoard unforgiveness, resentment or bitterness in our heart. The spirit of a man sustains him in sickness, But as for a broken spirit, who can bear it? (Proverbs 18:14). Hurts can infect the heart with hatred causing spiritual heartaches and heart attacks.
David was heartbroken when his loyal companion and counselor betrayed him. Theologians agree that David is writing about Ahithophel, David’s chief counselor, who turned against the king and joined the morbid mob of Absalom in Psalm 55. David’s son Absalom plotted a ruse to usurp the kingdom but during the darkest attack, David’s best mate, Ahithophel turned against him. The attack made David flee from his palace but betrayal broke his heart.
Effects of Emotional hurts, burns and wounds:
1. Hurt: Emotional wounds inflicting acute traumatic pain must be treated. Talk about it to a trusted mate or minister. Forgiveness must be instantaneous. We don’t forgive because the other person deserves it. Forgiveness is the healing balm for our hurting hearts. A hurt untreated will become an infectious emotional wound.
2. Health issues: Regurgitating slur or disloyalty will cause long term health issues. Serotonin is the chemical that carries messages between nerve cells in the brain and throughout your body. Serotonin plays a vital part in body functions such as sleep, mood swings, digestion, wound healing, blood clotting and so on. Mulling over emotional pain causes fluctuation of serotonin in the body that can result in long term health issues.
3. Hatred: Unresolved anger turns into bitterness and hatred. Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer (1 John 3:15). The shield that protects our heart from hatred is forgiveness. Forgive before the anger turns into hatred and bitterness.
Treat the emotion hurts, wounds or burns before they contaminate the heart with bitterness and hatred.
Ephesians 4:32 Forgive one another, as God has forgiven you through Christ.
Prayer: Dearest Lord Jesus, just like how you blessed those who cursed and crucified you help me to forgive those who have harmed me. Amen.
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