“The purposes of a person’s heart are deep waters, but one who has insight draws them out.” (Proverbs 20:5 NIV)
Asking the right questions leads to insight. Everyone has a story to tell. Every story matters. The longer we are on earth, the more entangled our stories. The more entangled our stories, the deeper the waters of our hearts.
My 51st birthday is less than two months away. I’ve begun to realize, in the past year, how deep the waters of our heart really are. When I was younger, I would hear stories of people older than me dealing with issues that happened decades ago. I never understood, until now, why.
Life’s events take time to process.
In June of 2014, I had a major car accident. My mother passed away in February of that year. My nephew passed away in September. In October, I was traveling for work, staying in Washington D.C. The evening I arrived in our nation’s capital, I called home to my husband. I immediately started interrogating him about his day. In mid sentence, he stopped me. He informed me I needed to quit my job. His words flabbergasted me. How could I quit my job of 16 years? He explained why, “You think you’re handling life well, but you’re not.” He was right, the stress of life was winning the battle with me. The next day, I called my boss of over a decade and had a long talk. She understood because she knew what I had been through. We planned my exit from the company together.
In the process of healing, I went to counseling. I learned in those sessions, I suffered from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD):
Post–traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that’s triggered by a terrifying event — either experiencing it or witnessing it. Symptoms may include flashbacks, nightmares and severe anxiety, as well as uncontrollable thoughts about the event.
My husband’s insight into the deep waters of my heart led me to healing. The therapist’s insight into the events of my life gave me understanding. PTSD, in my mind, was a war related condition for soldiers. Until I entered therapy, I didn’t understand, I could have it too. My mother’s death came after a long battle with cancer. The car accident and my nephew’s death were traumatic events that affected me far deeper than I realized. My therapist helped me deal with those situations. She helped me heal because she asked the right questions.
Therapy is a path to self-understanding. Counseling is giving advice. Understanding the difference between these two terms is essential. Talking to my best friend and giving her my opinion is advice. Talking to a therapist leads to self-discovery and healing from our past.
Insight reveals the deep waters of the heart. Revelation brings truth. Truth brings healing.
Question of the Day:
Who can help you have insight to the deep waters of your heart?
Further Reading: 2 Chronicles 19-20 NIV, Romans 10:14-11:12 NIV, Psalm 21 NIV, Proverbs 20:4-6 NIV
