The Oxford dictionary defines healing as "the process of making or becoming sound or healthy again." Before we can be planted in the soil of amplification, we have to understand what healing is in order to bloom. Also, we have to acknowledge that there is something to be healed from. I find it interesting that the definition of the word healing is described as becoming sound and healthy AGAIN. This lets us know that we’ve experienced our higher self (absolute perfection) before, but trauma has altered our sense of self. In Jeremiah 1:5 God says, “Before I formed you in your mother's womb, I knew you. Before you were born, I sanctified you (set you apart) and I ordained you." My theory is that we're all trying to get back to the highest version of ourselves, our spirit man; one who is directly connected to our creator. Granted, our spirit is housed in our physical bodies, getting back to that version of ourselves simply means tapping into or coming into the awareness of a higher dimension that we're already unknowingly existing in. Tapping into our spirit helps us to not only exist in the higher dimension but to walk in the authority given to us by our heavenly Father. I believe healing is returning to your childlike faith, playfulness, imagination and lack of worry while simultaneously operating on such a high level of fearlessness due to an unwavering confidence in God. How do we do that? You can start with being intentional about maintaining a mental space of gratitude. Next, acknowledge the pain. God has given us so many tools to heal ourselves. However, God can't use you to heal what you won't reveal. The biggest lie is the lie you tell yourself. God is omnipresent but you have to invite Him into your situation because He's given us free will. So please be honest with yourself about where you are and what you need (mentally, physically, spiritually). Then, present it to God in prayer the same way you'd vent to a friend. If you are unable to identify your emotions, please learn to do so. Happiness, sadness and anger aren't the only emotions you are subjected to. Oftentimes, we feel disappointment, grief, abandonment or offense but we often mislabel these emotions as anger. Some of us are numb and won’t allow ourselves to feel anything because the pain we've experienced cuts so deeply. I've been there, drunk on emotions I couldn't even identify. Walking through life numb, trying not to feel anything not knowing that the peace and joy I longed for were on the other side of my acknowledgement of my true emotions. Once again, God can't heal what you won't reveal, it's a part of giving us free will. If you begin to simply acknowledge that you're hurt, angry or maybe you have no idea what you feel, the Holy Spirit will begin to speak to you. Psalms 119:105 The word is light unto my feet and a light unto my path. This simple acknowledgement is so powerful because there's a newness in your self awareness. Have you ever heard someone say "I was so angry I blacked out?" or "I can't remember what I did or said. It was like an out of body experience"? This is an example of someone who is drunk off of emotion, not thinking clearly. This is why 1Peter 5:8 says "Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour". Most people apply this scripture to alcoholic beverages and drugs. Although I believe being sober in that respect is important, it is equally important to understand this scripture in the previously written context. Just think, how much damage is being done when we operate in the consumption of emotions like rage, bitterness, resentment, anxiety, depression and fear. Whatever the trauma or injury suffered, you were courageous enough to survive it, please be courageous enough to heal from it. Identify your feelings, pay attention to how you physically feel when you identify these emotions. Here's an example, a few years back I was extremely angry. Whenever I felt angry, my body felt hot, my stomach felt nervous energy and then it would feel really tight. Shortly after, I started experiencing irregular bleeding. The bleeding was typically onset after eating certain foods or whenever I felt angry or stressed. A lot of the health issues we deal with are onset from suppressed emotions. This is why it's so important to learn to identify how you feel. Identifying your emotions aids in your healing journey. We are human beings made up of a physical body, soul and spirit. Let's focus on the soul for a moment. The soul is made up of our mind, will and emotions. Our mind is our way of thinking, the lens in which we see the world and God. Our will is our attachment to our heart (mind) and its desires. Emotions are the language of the soul. Emotions articulate what the soul feels. If you can't identify your emotions, you can't aid in the healing of your soul. If you can't aid in the healing of your soul, the way you think, how you view the world and how you go about life will constantly be out of alignment with God's will for your life. This is because you're choosing not to do the work of aligning your soul to your spirit. Your spirit being is directly connected to God, the version of you that he says he knew before placing you in your mother's womb. Once you've learned to identify your emotions aka learn the language of your soul, allow yourself to sit in those feelings. Feel them, get the energy out by writing, dancing, working out, going for a walk, crying or simply screaming. However you need to let it out, please do so (in a healthy way). You can do this on your own however, it is helpful to seek out a counselor. This doesn’t mean you’re crazy. No one is telling you what to think or how to feel. The role of the counselor is to ask the appropriate questions to insight introspection into those feelings and experiences while aiding you in the healing process. Our Heavenly Father gave us dominion to heal ourselves and others. You just have to do the work. What is the work? Gaining and applying knowledge of the issue you're dealing with. An example of this is financial literacy. You'll be stuck in a constant state of poverty and lack if you have no knowledge of money management or financial literacy. There's access to all sorts of information, tap into it. Once you've obtained the information, APPLY what you've learned. The Bible says "my people perish for their lack of knowledge" Hosea 4:6. Once you’ve done this, learn to be aware of your triggers and set boundaries. No one is responsible for tip-toeing around your feelings, especially feelings you haven’t identified yet. If you know certain people insight certain emotions, constantly bring drama or make you feel drained, distance yourself from them. If need be, cut off all communication with them, but be sure that your heart is not holding a grudge towards them. Stop drinking the poison. Once you’ve set your boundaries, continue to enforce them. Lastly, be accountable. Acknowledge the scenarios you are responsible for. Acknowledge where you could have handled a situation better, how you hurt someone or yourself. Repent and then forgive yourself. Repentance is to turn from something. If you're not actively turning from sin then you're just going before God like a toxic spouse who constantly apologizes for actions they have no intention of changing. Once you truly repent, God forgets it. Love yourself, don’t disrespect yourself by minimizing who you are to essentially make others comfortable with disrespecting you. Of course all of this is easier said than done but it’s so worth it! Healing is an upward spiral. Healing is a continuous journey. You'll revisit the same issues but from a new and elevated perspective each time. Take the lessons that come from this introspection. Continue to bloom. What does healing look like to me? Freedom to be my authentic self. Walking in the fullness of the calling God has placed on my life without shame, fear or anxiety about the opinions of others. Healing looks like genuine peace and joy despite the circumstances. What does healing look like to you?