Cutting

I have a dear friend, *Debbie, who for many years, cut herself on purpose. She used knives, razor blades, or whatever sharp instrument was available to gouge her skin to bring blood. Somehow she felt a false sense of temporary relief by cutting.

I was aghast. How could she do that to her own body? What was she thinking? I visited her many times in the psyche ward. There are many complicated aspects to her story that I’ll not go into, but over time with much intensive care and prayer, Jesus set her free from self-mutilation.

I have never cut myself, on purpose that is, but I have inflicted pain on the body. The Lord reminded me the other day that when I speak critical words, someone always gets hurt and I also get damaged in the process. The Bible (1 Corinthians 12) tells us that when we are in Christ, we become a part of the body. His Body. Some are the hands, others the feet, and so forth but we all belong to one another. When we strike out in nasty words, spread gossip, get into other people’s business or criticize, we become “cutters”. Our words and cutting remarks often draw blood, bringing damage and causing wounds. This ought not to be.

Luke 6:45 addresses this issue.

The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks.

Let’s pray for one another. Pray that the Great Physician will heal the wounds of the past, the pain of today and the fear of tomorrow. We all need Him. Let’s ask God to help us forgive when we are cut, and give us the grace ask forgiveness when we cut others.

*Not her real name