Numb but Not Forever: The Journey Back to Feeling

“Numb but Not Forever: The Journey Back to Feeling”

Physical Numbness and Life Reflections

Sitting in the dentist’s chair today, my entire mouth went numb after multiple injections. As I waited for the feeling to come back, I started reflecting on how often numbness shows up in life—not just physically, but emotionally and spiritually.

Numbness is uncomfortable, isn’t it? You’re aware something’s there, but you just can’t feel it. It’s like being disconnected from yourself or the people around you. And while numbness might protect us from pain for a while, it’s not where we’re meant to stay.

The Dentist and the Hygienist: A Tale of Two Approaches

During my appointment, two very different dynamics stood out. When my dentist administered the injections, she was attentive, gentle, and clear about what to expect. She explained, “You may feel pressure, but you shouldn’t feel pain.” Her words reassured me and made me trust the process, even though it was uncomfortable.

In contrast, my dental hygienist was less communicative. While she got the job done, she didn’t walk me through the steps or explain what was coming next. It left me feeling disconnected and uncertain throughout the procedure, even though she meant well.

Isn’t that a perfect picture of relationships? The dentist represented what I need most in relationships: someone who is nurturing, communicative, and attentive to my needs while guiding me through the process. I need people who see me, care for me, and create an environment of trust and safety—even in difficult moments.

The hygienist, though well-meaning, reminded me of relationships where communication is lacking, and you’re left feeling unsure or unseen. Those relationships can still “get the job done,” but they lack the depth and connection that truly allow relationships to thrive and grow.

A Divine Reminder in the Everyday

I think this experience came at just the right time to give me clarity and confirmation about what my heart has been longing for—both in relationships and in how I show up for others. God often uses these everyday moments, like a dentist appointment, to teach us profound lessons because He knows how to meet us where we are and speak to what we need to see or remember.

This was a reminder of two things: the importance of being clear about what I need in relationships and the opportunity to reflect on how I embody those same qualities for others. I already have the heart to nurture, lead, and communicate with care—it’s who I am. But this experience also showed me how vital it is to protect and reserve that part of myself for people who are willing to meet me where I am and reciprocate in kind.

It’s not about withholding who I am but about being intentional with where I pour my energy. I also believe God may be aligning me for a season of deeper relationships—whether in my personal life, work, or ministry. It’s as if He’s saying, This is what matters most to you. Hold onto this truth as you navigate what’s ahead.

When Numbness Becomes a Shield

I’ve experienced emotional numbness myself. There were times in my life when I disconnected—whether from past hurts, unmet expectations, or simply avoiding the weight of reality. At the time, it felt like a shield, protecting me from more pain. But over time, I realized it was also keeping me from experiencing true healing, joy, and connection.

It was in those moments of numbness that I learned an important truth: God calls us to bring our pain to Him, not to bury it. As Matthew 11:28 says, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Healing begins when we’re willing to acknowledge the pain, turn inward to reflect, and turn upward to invite God into the process.

When Numbness Shows Up in Relationships

Then there’s the layer of being in relationships where the other person is numb. That’s even harder to navigate. I’ve been in relationships with people who had built walls so high and so strong, it was nearly impossible to reach them. They didn’t want to talk or share the pain they carried from their past, yet that pain seeped into our relationship. Their numbness created stagnancy, leaving little room for growth or connection.

I spent time trying to “knock down the walls” of their numbness, wanting so badly to help them heal. But here’s what I’ve learned: you can’t heal someone who refuses to feel. True healing requires willingness from both sides. And eventually, I had to make the difficult decision to leave those relationships and focus on what was best for me.

It reminded me of Ecclesiastes 3:1, which says, “To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven.” There is a time for healing, a time to build up, and sometimes, a time to let go.

Breaking Free from Numbness

This entire experience brought me back to the A.T.O.M. Principle I’ve developed—a process that’s helped me move forward in emotional and spiritual healing:

Acknowledge & Assess: Recognize where numbness has taken hold in your life or relationships.
Turn Inward & Turn Upward: Look inward to understand what’s happening emotionally, and turn to God for guidance and strength. Psalm 34:18 reminds us, “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”
Own Your Story: Take responsibility for your healing by confronting past wounds and rewriting your narrative with God’s help.
Move Forward: Release what’s holding you back and step into the life and relationships God has for you.

Healing isn’t always easy, and it’s rarely comfortable. But just like waiting for the numbness to wear off after a dental procedure, the discomfort is temporary. The result is worth it—a life filled with connection, clarity, and purpose.

A’s Love Actions

1.Reflect: Take 5-10 minutes to journal about areas in your life where you may feel numb—whether emotionally, spiritually, or in your relationships.

Ask yourself: What am I shielding myself from, and how is this serving me?

2. Pray: Bring this to God in prayer. Ask Him to reveal what needs healing and to guide you in reconnecting with yourself, Him, and others. Lean into the truth of Psalm 34:18: “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”

3. Assess: Think about the relationships in your life. Are there people who are attentive and communicative, like the dentist, or are you finding yourself in connections that feel stagnant and disconnected? Be honest with yourself about where changes need to be made.

4. Act: Take one step today to prioritize connection. Whether it’s reaching out to someone who nurtures and supports you, setting a boundary, or simply sitting with God to process what you’re feeling, commit to moving toward healing and growth.