Wounds outlast the disease.
The Bible promises, “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds” (Psalm 147:3).
Notice the two-step process here:
- God heals.
- God binds up the wounds.
The wound represents the effects of the disease, not the disease itself. So when someone tells me, “I’m healed of my sexual addiction,” my response is, “Great! You’re halfway home!”
It is one thing to be healed. I would never tell someone that they haven’t been healed, although I see myself as healing – a work in process. But it’s one thing to be healed and another to treat the wounds. That is why recovery is for life.
Treating your addiction is huge, but there are some things that sobriety does not do. It doesn’t erase the childhood trauma. It doesn’t make the memories of abuse disappear. Nor does sobriety take away the scars or reverse the damage. There are still consequences to be paid and wounds to be treated.
Recovery Step: Get help for your disease. And your wounds.
