Hello Reader,

We’ve all had it happen.

Someone made a stupid comment to us at work, a certain person’s face appears in our social media feed, or a family member says something sharp.

Suddenly our stomach drops.

A memory we didn’t even realize was still alive jumps to the surface. Why do these moments hurt so deeply? Why do they bother us so much?

When we first moved to Florida five years ago, I noticed beautiful white wildflowers growing along the side roads.

They looked so pretty, I even took pictures, thinking they were great for pollination.

But as the months went by, those lovely flowers transformed into black seed stickers.

Every time we went for a walk, we ended up covered with thousands of poky seeds clinging to our clothes. Removing them meant pulling them out one by one.

The next year, those flowers popped up in our yard, and all over the area. What I once thought were beautiful wildflowers turned out to be noxious invasive weeds.

Because I didn’t recognize them at first, I never pulled them up, and soon they were overrunning everything.

Our hearts can be like that. We don’t always notice the little seeds of irritation, hurt, offense, jealousy, or judgment that get lodged in our soul.

At first, they may seem small and harmless, but over time they stick, poke, and fester until they cause real pain.

Often, we don’t realize they’re there, until we run into someone at the grocery store or scroll past their face on social media.

Suddenly, those hidden seeds flare up as hurt, resentment, or bitterness.

We live in an imperfect world where people disappoint us.

Parents make mistakes, friends wound us, trauma invades our lives, and scars settle deep within us.

If left alone, those “weed seeds” will keep spreading until they overrun our emotional and spiritual life.

But there is good news!

Jesus has a way of pulling out the seeds, weeds, and roots and replacing them with His peace and healing.

Isaiah reminds us, “By His wounds we are healed” (Isaiah 53:5, NIV).

Jesus was pierced with thorns on the cross so He could heal the thorns in your soul!

My Prayer For You

Dear Jesus, I ask that you surround this reader’s heart with Your love. I cover them with Your precious blood. Wash their soul clean with Your living water.

Hold them close and begin to heal painful irritations, hurts, and trauma. Heal even the deeply hidden weed-seed stickers.

Give them courage and grace to face themselves honestly and openly. Awaken them to more of Your presence and peace.

Thank You, Jesus. Amen.

Sometimes It's Easy, Sometimes It's Not

Sometimes it is as easy as shaking the weeds from your soul. You can pray something simple, like:

And in that moment, His peace comes and the burden lifts.

But sometimes those “stickers” have gotten lodged in a bit deeper.

They poke and irritate until they are given more attention.

That’s when a deeper healing prayer process is needed.

I have found this simple method to be extremely helpful for healing, and I want to share it with you.

Prayer Steps for Healing Weed Stickers In Your Soul

1. Reflect on the Situation​
   Take a quiet moment to think about the thing that bothers you. Tell Jesus exactly how you feel. As Jesus honestly, “What more do I need to understand about this?” Be open to thoughts that come to your mind at this point. This is how He will bring more understanding to your situation.
2. Forgive & Ask for Forgiveness​
   As an act of faith, choose to forgive those who hurt you. Forgiveness starts with a decision. Then ask Jesus to forgive you for any part you may have played, whether that may be through wrong thoughts, actions, or holding on to pain instead of trusting Him.
3. Invite Jesus to Heal ​
   Simply give the irritation/hurt/pain to Him. Cast all your cares on Him; He cares deeply for you (1 Peter 5:7). Ask Jesus to heal your heart and life. Some people sense a release or peace; some sense God’s presence; some see a picture of Him taking the pain away or bringing comfort. Other people hear His reassuring words. Allow Him to bring His peace and healing into your heart. Stay here as long as possible. Don’t forget to thank Him and rest in His healing.

Friend, Jesus’ healing is very real. I have seen Him do this countless times in my own life and in the lives of others. And I believe He wants to do the same for you.

A healed heart frees you to live in peace, love and joy.

Take some time to walk through these steps. Let Jesus lift the weight of your past and replace it with His healing presence.

With love and prayers,
Cynthia Johnson

P.S. Print or bookmark this message so you can find it whenever you run into a weed seed sticker.

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Additionally, there is a treasury of articles on my website drcynthiajohnson.com.​

I've been working hard on writing an exciting Christian supernatural mystery novel. I'll send out more details as it gets closer to completion.

Abundant Blessings