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Forgive, daily, those who caused the wounds that keep you from wholeness. Increasingly, I find that our wounds are the very things God uses in his service. By harboring blame for those who caused them, I slow the act of redemption that can give the wounds worth and value, and ultimately healing.

My spiritual checkup offers one clear advantage over my physical checkup. From my doctor, I learned that no matter what I do my body will continue to deteriorate. At best, a good diet and exercise routine will slow that deterioration. Spiritually, however, I can look forward to growth, renewed vigor, and improved health—as long as I continue to listen, and then act on what I hear God saying.

Earlier Philip Yancey columns:

Would Jesus Worship Here? (Feb. 7, 2000)

Doctor's Orders (Dec. 2, 1999)

Getting to Know Me (Oct. 25, 1999)

The Encyclopedia of Theological Ignorance (Sept. 6, 1999)

Writing the Trinity (July 12, 1999)

Can Good Come Out of This Evil? (June 14, 1999)

The Last Deist (Apr. 5, 1999)

Why I Can Feel Your Pain (Feb. 8, 1999)

What The Prince of Egypt Won't Tell You (Dec. 7, 1998)

What's a Heaven For? (Oct. 26, 1998)

The Fox and the Writer (Sept. 7, 1998)

Fear and Faith in the Middle East (July 13, 1998)

And the Word Was … Debatable (May 18, 1998)

A Cure for Spiritual Deafness (Apr. 6, 1998)

Jesus' Unanswered Prayers (Feb. 9, 1998)

More Philip Yancey archives

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April 3 2000, Vol. 44, No. 4