Self Injury

Self injury is not a new thing, it has been around for thousands of years. Here is an old biblical example:

And it came to pass at noon, that Elijah mocked them, and said, Cry aloud: for he is a god; either he is talking, or he is pursuing, or he is in a journey, or peradventure he sleepeth, and must be awaked.  And they cried aloud, and cut themselves after their manner with knives and lancets, till the blood gushed out upon them.  And it came to pass, when midday was past, and they prophesied until the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that there was neither voice, nor any to answer, nor any that regarded.    1 Kings 18:27-29

Sometimes people cut themselves because they are in deep emotional pain, they do it to get out of the numbness they feel, or to change their emotions so they don’t have to be swallowed in feelings and memories that are too intense. A therepest said to me, with tenderness, what is it that you are trying so hard not to feel that you would rather hurt yourself?

Sometimes self injury becomes a habit that is hard to quit. Jesus has the power that we need to be able to quit. God’s power always comes through the Holy Spirit. He also sends His love with it.

But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you… Acts 1:8

And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. Romans 5:5

God loves us no matter what. Jesus showed me that it does not matter if the devil cuts you with his hand- as when that spear was thrown into Jesus side when He was on the cross, or with your own hand- as in self injury. Nothing can separate us from the Love of God.

For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,  Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39

As we give our lives to Jesus He makes us a new creation, He heals our hearts so that we don’t have to hurt ourselves anymore. He was pierced for our transgressions. His blood that was spilled is enough, it still cries out from the ground.

Jesus has an answer and solution for every distress we have, emotional, physical, or when we just need someone to hear us. I do not know all the reasons people cut themselves, but I do know Jesus is a compassionate and caring shepherd and I don’t have to do that anymore. I pray that He would satisfy your needs, heal your hurts, and set you free from this in His gentle caring way. That he would show you what it is that is hurting so badly, and that He then would pour in His love and healing by His Spirit.

Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. Heb 7:25