Are You Listening to Me?

“Something isn’t right,” Aaliyah thought as the front door creaked open. Instead of the usual bustling energy from her home, silence greeted her.

“Mom,†she cried, but there was no answer.

Trembling slightly, she walked into what should have been the living room— it was bare now with large mirrors inside it.

“Don’t be afraid,” whispered a voice. “Look at each mirror.”

Looking at the first one, Aaliyah gasped. Her reflection stared back, covered in scars, inflamed and red. Mesmerized by the horror, she couldn’t turn away. Nausea burned up inside.

“This is your pain,” whispered the voice. “These scars are the bullying, the disappointments, the letdowns from friends who didn’t want to listen. It is the hurt inside of you building up. You passed through it, but don’t hold on to the hurt and sadness you’ve had and let it define you. Instead, give back those scars to your Creator and rest in Him. Only Jesus can heal you.”

Kneeling down on the floor, Aaliyah bowed her head. Sparkling tears fell down.

“Tears are healing; they comfort your soul.”

Picking herself up off the floor, she walked over to the second mirror.

“This is what you are like in Christ. On the cross, He brought healing for scars by His scars.”

The mirror gleamed, and, glancing at it, Aaliyah saw golden oil being poured over her reflection. “Healed and anointed.”

The third mirror showed a path.

“Now, it is time for you to walk in light of who you are in Christ. He will walk with you on the journey toward complete healing.”

Suddenly Aaliyah found herself back outside her house. When she opened the door, Mom called her name and Dudley was barking loudly.

Everything was normal once more—no trace of any mirrors. Everything was as it had been before, and now it was time to start living again. • Cindy Lee

• What scars do you have from the things that have hurt you?

• Read Hebrews 4:14-16 and 1 Peter 5:7. In Christ, is there anything you can’t bring before God in prayer?

• We are not made to bear the weight of our hurts by ourselves (Matthew 22:36-40; Galatians 6:1-10). Who are trusted people in your life—such as parents, teachers, counselors, pastors, or friends—who you can go to as you figure out the next steps in healing from emotional scars?

• We live in a world broken by sin and death. Healing from emotional scars is a process. Jesus—who died and rose again to beat sin, which is the root cause of all brokenness—is the ultimate Healer. He lived on this earth and knows what it is like to feel uniquely human hurts. He is with His people through everything we face, and He promises to one day return to reign forever with His people and make all things new—free from sin and death. To learn more about finding true healing in Jesus, check out our “Know Jesus” page.

He heals the broken hearted and bandages their wounds. Psalm 147:3 (CSB)

Read Verses:

Psalm 66:19-20; James 1:19