30 years ago, while attending a cousin’s wedding in Chicago, I broke my foot playing basketball with the guys in the wedding party. The doctor who treated me pointed to my two broken toes, said that was the problem, put a cast on me, and sent me on my way. 6 weeks later, the doctors at the military hospital in Northern Virginia took one look at the X-rays the Chicago doctor took and blew a gasket. After a series of meetings and a ton of additional X-rays, they let me know that the previous doctor had missed the crushed joint as well as numerous other fractures and cracks. They went on to tell me that a CT scan would be necessary to find all of the damage. They explained that they could’ve repaired all of it, if it was 6 weeks ago. Now, all they could to is watch, wait, and hope for the best. Ultimately, the result was regular pain when I walked and weird intermittent stabbing pains.
Over the last 3 decades, I have seen plenty of podiatrists, all of whom have given me new orthotics, recommended I wear high-end running shoes (I’ve only worn Brooks Adrenalines for the last 20+ years), and remarks about the severity of my arthritis and warning about how bad it would get eventually. I’ve developed a high pain tolerance and the grit to go for long walks and runs regularly despite the discomfort.
Last year, I visited a new podiatrist for new orthotics (they wear out quickly when you walk 3 or 4 miles a day). The doctor looked at my X-rays and told me the problems would be easily fixed surgically. I was surprised and excited at the prospect of not hurting when I stand up in the morning.
I am now 6 weeks post surgery. I’ve had a lot of time to think about the before and after aspects, along with the pain associated. Surgery hurt and recovery has been painful as well as dull. However, I’ve also realized that when something is broken in a person, fixing it is going to be painful. Healing will be slow. However, on the other side of the ordeal, you discover new peace, freedom, escape from pain, and other benefits.
Working as a pastor and doing counseling, I’ve met folks for years who were hurt early in life by events, losses, family systems, or other unfortunate situations. The hurt and the ways it has reshaped (and often, misshaped) their lives for years and years results in pain that nags at them and impacts everything they do.
I have also been blessed to watch plenty of folks go through the process of “soul surgery” and healing from past brokenness. God sometimes works them through painful seasons of recovery. Healing from deep brokenness is difficult. The repairs sometimes require bad things be removed or new supports be built in. Healing takes a long time and seem worse than the hurt you were fixing. Ultimately, on the other side of the process, you find yourself healthy, strong, free, and made new.
The hardest part is facing the injury and choosing to step into the process of healing. We must allow God to work through our circumstances and His people to repair us.
