“Healing is a matter of time” wrote the famous Greek physician, Hippocrates. We know that the deeper the wound, be it physical or emotional, the greater the amount of time we need to heal. Read Acts 28:1-10. Paul is on his way to a Roman trial. The ship he is on is shipwrecked on the island of Melita, or Malta, as it is known today, about 18 miles long and eight miles wide, located about 50 miles south of Sicily. Melita was the Canaanite word for ‘refuge’. How did the natives greet Paul and the beached survivors?

In verses 3 and 4, notice the chill that suddenly doused the warmth of the reception. Guilty by reason of catastrophe – does that reasoning ring any bells? In Job 22, Job’s friends told him in essence “Your wickedness is great; that’s why God is punishing you”. Have you jumped to conclusions recently about those who are suffering and added to their woes by presuming their guilt?

Verse 6 states that Paul survived the snake bite. News spread quickly, and soon Paul had a waiting room full of patients. Read verses 7 through 9. The one who is healed is better equipped to help others. If someone you know is recovering from an emotional shipwreck, how can you encourage them today? If you’ve been through what someone else is going through, consider telling that person “I know how you feel; God helped me through and He can help you, too”.

Read John 9:2-3. When the disciples assumed the man was blind because of sin, what did Jesus tell them? Why do most of us believe we somehow have a right to go through life without grave sickness or other deep suffering?

Read Proverbs 27:5-6, Proverbs 27:17 and Proverbs 29:11. Godly communication between friends involves sharing common interests, giving and accepting advice, giving and accepting criticism, and giving and accepting encouragement. A healthy relationship requires both giving and receiving, with the primary emphasis on giving. Have you held back from Godly communication because of fear, or past hurts? Try reaching out to someone in the church body today with the goal of growing in Christ.