"Time heals all wounds" is a MYTH...

For years, we have heard the expression, “Time heals all wounds.” But I beg to differ. In my experience, it isn’t time that heals our emotional wounds, it is treatment. Time may give us some distance and let scar tissue start to build up, but left untreated, those emotional wounds can fester and leave our spirits infected under the surface.

Even if you don't feel sad, you must understand that divorce is a death that must be grieved. Divorce is the death of covenantal relationship and the death of dreams. You don’t just get over that.

 There is a cycle of grief that we all go through. Learning how to recognize and lean into each cycle so that we can treat our wounds is crucial to our emotional health. I hate to hit you with this truth Sister, but you really need to take the time to grieve. So, what are the stages of grief?

 Shock

 Denial

 Anger

 Bargaining

 Regret

 Sadness

 Acceptance

 Relief

Your process may go in a different order, but these are the stages.

Key thing to remember in this stage

 Time does not heal our wounds... treatment does.

And there are no shortcuts.

 So, what do I need to do to start healing?

Take some time to ponder and work through each stage of the grief cycle. You are going to have to allow yourself to fully feel and experience each one.

Bonus Strategy:

Specific Journal Prompts to Help Get Un-Stuck from this Stage

1) What dreams did you have that died with your divorce?

2) Have you started dreaming new dreams yet? If so, what are they?

3) What stages of the grief process am I trying to avoid the most? Why?

4) What healing am I robbing myself of by not fully experiencing each stage?

"I can do all things through him who strengthens me."

Philippians 4:13 ESV