Not long ago my lips were starting to get chapped. I could feel a ‘split’ right down the center of my lip starting to form. Strangely though, I could really only feel the split. There was not much visible evidence on the outside of my lip, but wow, it sure was tender! After a few days of lathering on my Burt’s Bees the pain and chafing began to lessen. This ‘protective covering’ I had been applying cushioned the pain and also aided in the healing.

I started thinking about the pain in our hearts that we often carry around in life. Pain that is felt on the inside but isn’t really visible on the outside. Pain that just stays tucked deep within our soul. Maybe even unrecognizable to the world? 

Sheltering the pain, protecting it, so the rawness will never become too apparent.

Sound familiar?

For me, this very thing – this very process has become my defense mechanism. Tucking the magnitude of my aching heart as deep inside as I possibly can. Never allowing it to fully surface on the outside of me for others to see. I know it’s there, I feel it. Oh how I feel it! But for most who see me, know me … the jagged edges of my pain have become unnoticeable.

Hidden pain can often lead to a feeling of being misunderstood. And for me, this couldn’t be more true. What can’t be seen must not be present, right?

After pondering this strange connection between my lips and my aching heart (even I am scratching my head at this odd connection!) my thoughts shifted to God. Thoughts of how God puts a ‘protective covering’ over us and around our hearts so the hurts can’t penetrate out and shield us from more hurts entering in.  So healing can begin.  Maybe this is the defense mechanism God designed so beautifully for us all? His perfect design.

God is the ‘protective layer’ so that He can be the One to cushion the pain and deliver the healing.

I have been a follower of Christ long enough to know that real healing, my true healing – does not come from anyone or anything else but Him. And for now, perhaps, tucking my pain deep within is what I need and what I was designed to do … so God can heal me from the inside out.

Healer of my heart, the lyrics from Hillsong United – From the Inside Out,  say it so well.