The Scab Over the Wound

Have you ever reacted so strongly to something that even you were surprised by your response?

We can all say that at one point or another we have been hurt—physically, emotionally, mentally, or spiritually. The hurt itself is not the problem. What we do with it is what matters. Ignoring pain does not make it disappear. It simply leaves it buried beneath the surface, where it festers until one day, one person, or one circumstance snatches the scab off the wound.

Then suddenly, everything spills out.

When the dust settles, you’re left asking, “What just happened?” The answer is often simple: the wound was never healed.

Joseph knew what it felt like to be wounded. Betrayed by his brothers, sold into slavery, falsely accused, and forgotten in prison, he had every reason to live offended and bitter. Yet instead of allowing his pain to define him, he allowed God to work through it. Years later, when he stood face-to-face with the very people who hurt him, healing spoke louder than hurt.

As believers, we often carry hidden wounds while trying to move forward in faith. We love Jesus, attend church, read our Bibles, and serve others, yet some hurts remain untouched. The obstacle is believing that time alone heals what only God can heal.

Healing begins when we bring the wound into God’s presence. First, acknowledge the hurt instead of denying it. Second, invite God to reveal what is beneath the surface. Third, surrender the offense and choose forgiveness, even when it feels difficult. Finally, trust God to restore what pain has damaged.

When we walk through this process, something beautiful happens. We stop reacting from old wounds and start responding from a healed heart. Peace replaces bitterness. Freedom replaces resentment. Growth replaces stagnation.

If you’re reading this and the scab has recently been ripped off a wound you’ve tried to hide, don’t be discouraged. God is not exposing it to shame you; He may be revealing it so He can heal it.

This week, spend time with God and ask Him, “What wound have I covered instead of healed?”

Remember, growth is a lifelong journey. Healing rarely happens all at once, but every surrendered wound becomes another place where God’s grace can shine.

The question isn’t whether you’ve been hurt. The question is: What will you do now that the scab has come off?