HOW TO HEAL EMOTIONALLY WHEN YOU’RE STILL HURTING
- Shaniqua Smith
- Dec 11, 2025
- 3 min read
Updated: 3 days ago
There’s a certain kind of pain that doesn’t go away overnight. It’s the kind you can still feel in your chest even when you’re trying to move forward… the kind you carry quietly because you don’t want to keep talking about it… the kind you pray about, yet still find yourself wrestling with.
If you’ve ever felt like you’re trying to heal while still hurting, I want you to know something right from the start:
You’re not behind. You’re not failing. You’re human, and God is still working.
Healing is not a switch. It’s a journey.
And journeys are walked one small, honest, grace-filled step at a time.
If you love conversations about emotional healing and faith, you can listen to my OneGirlOneGoal Podcast for deeper encouragement.
Why emotional healing can feel slow
Emotional wounds don’t follow a schedule. Sometimes part of you moves on, while another part is still tender. You might be doing better today and then feel triggered tomorrow. You may forgive someone, yet still feel waves of sadness.
This doesn’t mean you haven’t healed. It means you’re in the process, and God works beautifully in the process.
Psalm 34:18 reminds us: “The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.”
God doesn’t wait until you feel strong to come near. He’s close to you right now, in the middle of the ache.
What healing looks like when you’re not “over it” yet
Healing isn’t always loud or dramatic. Sometimes it looks like: Choosing not to reopen an old wound, Feeling the emotion without letting it control you, Saying “I’m still struggling” without shame, Setting boundaries you never set before, Not going back to the person or situation that broke you. Doing better than you did last time. These are signs of growth, even if you still feel pain. Healing is happening quietly… layer by layer… moment by moment.
3 gentle steps to begin healing even while you’re hurting
1. Bring the real you to God
Not the strong you.
Not the “I’m fine” you.
Not the scripted prayer version of you.
Just you, the tired, hurting, confused, maybe a little angry version.
God heals what we bring to Him.
He can’t heal what we pretend doesn’t hurt.
Try praying simple, honest prayers like:
“Lord, this pain is bigger than me. Meet me here.”
or
“God, show me the next step forward.”
Simple prayers change everything.
2. Let God rewrite the story you’re telling yourself
Pain often lies to us. It says: “You’re not enough.”
“You’ll always feel this way.”
“You deserved what happened.”
“You’ll never be happy again.”
But none of those words came from God.
Isaiah 43:19 tells us,
“Behold, I will do a new thing.”
New beginnings don’t depend on your strength.
They depend on God’s ability, and He’s never failed at restoration.
Ask Him: “Lord, what do You say about this situation?
What do you say about me?”
Let His truth interrupt the lies.
Take healing one small step at a time
You don’t have to fix everything today.
You don’t have to stop hurting immediately.
You don’t have to pretend you’re 100% okay.
What you can do is take one gentle step:
– Journal your feelings
– Sit quietly for a few minutes
– Read one scripture
– Take a walk
– Talk to someone safe
– Choose not to look back
Small steps create big shifts over time.
Healing doesn’t rush you, and God won’t either.
For more encouragement and faith-filled guidance, explore the rest of the blog here.
You are healing, even if you don’t feel healed yet
Sometimes the greatest proof of healing is not how you feel… but how you live.
You may still hurt, but you’re not responding the same way.
You may still cry, but you're not collapsing the way you used to.
You may still think about it, but you're not going backward.
That’s growth.
That’s strength.
That’s healing in motion.
God is not finished with you and this chapter is not where your story ends.
A gentle next step for your heart
If you need a peaceful way to sit with God and breathe again, I made something for you:
Get 5 Free Healing Scripture Coloring Pages
These pages are filled with encouragement, peace, and God’s Word to help quiet your mind as you heal.
Download your free healing scripture coloring pages here — a peaceful way to slow down, breathe, and reconnect with God.
You deserve moments of peace.
You deserve relief.
You deserve healing, and God is already guiding you there.
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