Although it happened a couple of weeks ago, I still think about it. Apparently during a tackle, Cardinals’ safety Rashad Johnson lost the top of his finger. It just broke off. He didn’t realize the extent of the injury until once on the sideline when his blood-soaked glove was cut away and the missing part of his finger remained in the glove. Operating doctors said the biggest concern was infection.
I can relate. Well, almost. An unfortunate incident involving a potato, a mandolin slicer and the side of my thumb made me quite sympathetic toward Johnson. (From now on I will follow the manufacturer’s direction to use the safety guard.) When the bleeding wouldn’t stop, I left the mound of slices that were never going to become potato chips and headed to Urgent Care. Knowing I was going to be traveling the next day, I didn’t want my thumb to become infected while I was on the road. A tetanus shot put an end to my concern.
Oh, if only everything in life could be solved with a kind doctor’s bandage and a shot. Other injuries, invisible but not imaginary, also come with a risk. Broken hearts, cutting remarks and bruised relationships scar our souls, making
us vulnerable. Without proper
treatment, these wounds might fester and infect the soul with  bitterness, hatred and resentment. It’s at these critical times in life, I find it necessary to be the most guarded, most alert and most honest with myself.  
Healing takes time, and the deeper the wound, the longer it takes. To promote complete recovery, in my emotional First Aid kit, I have stored Hebrews 12:15, “See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.” During the recovery process, I don’t want bitterness to grow and overshadow God’s grace.
Just like severed fingers and sliced thumbs, stabbed souls can mend when placed under the care of the Great Physician.
Ronny may be reached at rmichel@rtconline.com.