He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. Hmm. Truly? Is that really possible? This scripture was certainly front and center in a literal sense over the weekend as I sat in the children’s hospital with my son. A broken leg. Yep. His aerials ski competition had landed him in a hospital bed with a broken tibia. For those of you who are parents, you know how truly difficult it is to see your kids in such excruciating pain. And literally broken…..either physically or emotionally. I wanted to fix it and absorb the pain for him. But, no such luck.

Once we were through the first few sleepless hours of reseting his leg, splinting it, and getting the pain managed, we began the healing process. Two days later he was able to go home with the help of a wheelchair. It was during his discharge from the hospital that I had the chance to think on the fascinating part of all that had happened. It was something the doctor said. Routine to him of course….but really quite amazing to me. “Mom, if he ever were to break his leg again, it wouldn’t be in this same spot. This break will heal twice as strong as it was prior him breaking it.” My first thought was he better not break his leg again period! But, after he left the room and his words continued to echo in my head, I was struck at how truly incredible our bodies are designed; created in such a way that they know just what to do to heal themselves. In the case of a broken bone, it becomes twice as strong. It was mind-blowing to me. 

He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.

Psalm 147:3

This isn’t the first time I’ve been overly amazed with the human body. There are so many intricacies that point to our masterful Creator. When it comes to the broken – in soul, mind, or body – there was never more truth to the this doctor’s words. Our God can heal and bind up our wounds and make us twice as strong.

If only I could reach out beyond the words of this page to grab ahold of you and tell you this in the flesh with the same passion I have as I write this. In so many areas of my life I’ve experienced being broken. My friends, I get it. I’ve been there first hand. The areas that broke me were incredibly painful. They required a nourishing and reset that only the Lord could handle. And there will certainly be more. During these times I often find myself clinging to Isaiah 61:7. 

Instead of your shame there shall be a double portion;   

instead of dishonor they shall rejoice in their lot;

therefore in their land they shall possess a double portion;    

they shall have everlasting joy. (Isaiah 61:7)

I want to encourage in your difficulties and sorrows. Give them to God, for he is the Great Physician. Quite like the double portion mentioned in Isaiah, putting your hope and healing in the hands of the Lord will not return void. In fact, you will come out on the other side doubly strong! A double portion. Let that sink in to your soul. Believe in it. Quite like the journey of a broken bone, your healing process will return you to a state of twofold strength.