Have you ever tried peeling an onion? It’s a messy job, and it almost always brings tears to your eyes. But just like peeling an onion, healing in our lives can be a layered and sometimes painful process. This past weekend, Tamika Simmons shared a powerful message titled “Layers of Healing: From the Garden to the Cross,” reminding us that healing is more than just a quick fix; it’s a journey that involves every part of our being—physical, mental, spiritual, and relational.
“Do you want to be healed?” That’s the question Jesus asked the man by the pool of Bethesda who had been sick for 38 years. It seems like a no-brainer, right? Who wouldn’t want to be healed? But as Tamika pointed out, healing often comes with a cost. It’s not about buying a magic cloth or sending in a “seed offering.” True healing requires obedience, humility, and letting go of our own pride and expectations.
Reflection Question: Have you ever found yourself holding onto something—pride, unforgiveness, or fear—that was keeping you from healing? What was it, and how did it affect your life?
Healing is like peeling an onion—there’s always another layer beneath the surface. Sometimes God peels away layers of our pride, doubt, or even comfort to reach the core of who we are. It’s not always easy, but it’s always worth it.
“Being healed means to be made whole physically, mentally, spiritually, and relationally. Does it happen all at the same time? No, it’s like peeling an onion—each layer reveals more.” (Tamika Simmons, Layers of Healing)
Reflection Question: What “layers” do you think God might be peeling back in your life right now? How can you respond in a way that opens you up to His healing?
Tamika took us back to Genesis 2, reminding us of the perfect wholeness Adam and Eve experienced in the garden. But after the fall, everything changed. Their relationship with God, each other, and even themselves was broken. Healing, in a way, is God’s way of restoring that original wholeness in us. Just like Adam and Eve, we too need to confront the areas where we’ve turned away from God’s design.
Reflection Question: In what ways do you see the need for healing in your relationship with God, others, or yourself?
Healing can be slow and sometimes painful, but remember that God is patient with us. He’s not in a hurry. Just as Jesus took His time with the man at Bethesda, He’s willing to take the time to walk with us through every layer.
“Father, thank You for being patient with me as I walk through this journey of healing. Help me to trust You with each layer that is peeled back. Give me the strength to face the areas in my life that need healing and to trust that You are making me whole again. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
Healing isn’t a one-time event; it’s a journey of peeling back layers and letting God do the deep work in us.
Call to Action:
Consider sharing this devotional with someone who might need encouragement today. Check out the podcast replay of this message on your favorite podcast platform. Search for “CITCBA Insights” today. You can listen at churchinthecity.org/podcasts. And if you’re in the area, join us at Church in the City for one of our services. Our Saturday service at 10 a.m. has a Messianic theme, and our Sunday contemporary service starts at 10:45 a.m. Church in the City began as an outreach in the early 80s and became a church in 1991, dedicated to reflecting Christ in our community and the world.