Devotionals for the Heart: God's grace is a gentle balm to heal your soul

When You Allow God's Grace to Heal You
A devotional by Dr. Gladys Childs

“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.”

—Psalm 147:3 (ESV)

God's grace is a balm for our brokenness, a lifeline reaching the most tender and wounded places in our life.

Healing is one of the most breathtaking facets of His grace. It intertwines His divine compassion with our raw humanity. Psalm 147:3 captures this truth: "He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds." It reminds us that no matter how shattered we feel or how deep the scars are, our God is the Master Restorer.

The phrase "heals the brokenhearted" isn't just poetic; it's personal. It speaks to those moments when life's weight is unbearable—when we've lost a loved one, faced betrayal, or seen our dreams crumble. God doesn't turn away from broken people; He draws near. This verse assures us that God sees what we hide from others and even what we might struggle to admit to ourselves. He's not distant or indifferent. Instead, He actively works to heal, meeting us in our pain with compassion that defies understanding.

But God's healing isn't merely surface level. The imagery of Him binding up wounds suggests a deliberate and tender process. Think of a caregiver gently wrapping a wound, ensuring the healing is complete. That's what God does for our souls. He binds up what is raw and exposed, protecting us while He works to restore and strengthen us from the inside out. His grace touches our apparent wounds and those hidden beneath shame, fear, or bitterness.

This grace for healing is not something we earn or deserve—it's a gift freely given. It reflects God's very nature: a Father who loves His children too much to leave them broken. And His healing work isn't rushed. Sometimes, it's immediate—a sudden peace amid chaos. Other times, it's a gradual process, like stitching a tear so intricately that the mended fabric becomes stronger than before. Either way, God's healing grace is always perfect in its timing and infinite in its reach.

Imagine God's hands—steady, gentle, and sure—working on the deepest parts of your heart. He's mending broken relationships, quieting the storms of anxiety, and weaving hope into the places where despair once reigned. Psalm 147:3 invites us to trust that no wound is too severe for His touch, no heartache too great for His restoration.

So, what does this mean for us today? It means we can come as we are—fragile, hurting, and imperfect. We can lay it all before Him, knowing He won't reject us or grow impatient with our healing journey. It also means we can live with hope. The same God who created the stars and sustains the universe is actively at work in us, turning brokenness into beauty. Our wounds may shape our story, but they don't have to define it. Instead, they become evidence of His grace, a testimony that His power is made perfect in our weakness.

This verse isn't just a promise—it's an invitation. God says, "Let Me heal you. Let Me bind up your torn, broken heart. Trust My hands to restore what you thought was lost forever." When we do, we'll discover a grace that transforms, a healing that brings wholeness and a God who is closer than we ever imagined.

Let’s Pray:
Lord, bring your healing grace to the areas of our lives needing restoration. Mend our brokenness and make us whole. In Jesus’s name I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection: “Scars” by I Am They. Listen to it here.

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Author Bio:

Dr. Gladys Childs is an author, speaker, religion professor, pastor's wife, and mom helping others be F.R.E.E. to Thrive© for the abundant life God has for them. She serves as Chaplain at Texas Wesleyan University and the Women’s Director at LifePoint Fellowship. She brings 25 years of experience and knowledge to her ministry. 

Gladys is frequently called authentic, witty, and candid as she shares her journey through life’s ups and downs. Her passion is meeting people at the intersection of faith and life’s difficulties. No stranger to heartache herself, she grew up in a non-church-going family with an alcoholic mother and is a trauma survivor.

Gladys holds a Ph.D. in Foundations of Education, a Master’s in Religious Education, a Master of Divinity, and a B.A. with a double major in Counseling and Psychology. Also, she is an ordained Elder in the United Methodist Church.

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