When the Healing Process Goes Wrong - The Warrior's Journey®
Deep Loss

When the Healing Process Goes Wrong

Author: David Causey, USA (Ret.)

australia. Photo by The U.S. Army is licensed under CC By 2.0

It is sometimes referred to as “Stone Man Syndrome.”  Its official name is Fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva (FOP) and, fortunately, it is extremely rare.

Quicksand

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Patrick Reynolds, Security Forces squad leader attached to Provincial Reconstruction Team Zabul, fights racing water while holding onto a tow strap attached to an Afghan National Army vehicle stuck in the Lurah River in Shinkai district, Afghanistan, Oct. 12. The ANA asked PRT Zabul for assistance because of the PRT's vehicle recovery capabilities. PRT Zabul and ANA conduct frequent joint operations and have had great progress working together in the Shinkai district. Reynolds is deployed from Charlie Company, 182nd Infantry Division, Massachusetts National Guard.

FOP is caused by a genetic mutation which hurts the body’s ability to repair soft and fibrous tissue – muscle, tendons, and ligaments.  When people with this disorder injure a muscle or tendon, the body overreacts and ossifies the damaged tissue – i.e. replaces the soft tissue with bone.  This not only creates a lot of pain for the afflicted person.  It also immobilizes the affected area or limb.  Whenever surgeons have operated to remove the ossified tissue, the body overreacts again by creating more bone.

As the disorder progresses, all the joints in the body will freeze in time, because the ligaments will turn to bone.  Bone even covers the rib cage, making it difficult to breath.  In the end the afflicted person receives complete immobilization.  Even the jaw becomes locked.

Currently, there are no cures or effective treatments for this condition.  Therefore, people with FOP usually die before the age of 40.

It’s a fact that many components of our bodies need to remain soft in order to function properly.  This is especially true for our muscles, tendons, and ligaments.  It is also true of our other internal organs, particularly our hearts.  If that all-important organ hardens, our lives would end.

Freedom or Paralysis?

101005-N-2055M-012<br /> SAN DIEGO (Oct. 5, 2010) Former Army soldier Melissa Stockwell, from Chicago, speaks to her fellow injured service members during one of the annual Paralympic Military Sports Camps at Balboa Naval Medical Center in San Diego. Stockwell has been an advocate for military sports camps since she was injured more than six years ago while serving on active duty in the Army. Paralympic Military Sports Camps are multi-day events to introduce veterans and military personnel with physical injuries to a variety of summer and winter sport opportunities. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Travis K. Mendoza/Released)

But there is a spiritual form of “Stone Man Syndrome” that affects us as well.  Sadly, this spiritual “hardening” is far more common than the rare physical disease.  It mostly affects our hearts when, after they are wounded, the healing process is stymied and instead of being repaired and softened, our hearts become hardened.

Whenever our hearts are wounded by the adversities of life, disappointments, or the offenses of others, we are faced with a critical decision.  We can hold onto the pain and allow it to define our lives. And in the end our hearts become so hardened that we become prisoners of our own bitterness.  Or, we can reach out to God for help and healing.  We can forgive those who’ve offended us and experience God’s love and transforming power.

So which appeals to you more?  To become self-imprisoned by a hardened heart or to be healed, softened, and set free by God’s healing power?  The Scripture gives this admonition: Look after each other so that none of you fails to receive the grace of God. Watch out that no poisonous root of bitterness grows up to trouble you, corrupting many (Hebrews 12:15).

Prayer

Dear Father in heaven, please keep me from becoming hardened and embittered by the adversities and disappointments of this life.  Heal, soften, and renew my heart.   Develop in me an attitude of gratitude and thanksgiving, and renew me day by day.  Amen.

 


Let's Talk

100% Confidential | Warrior-to-warrior

We respond within 24 hours and can provide community support, resources, and referrals.