Healed by His Hands: When Jesus Touches the Heart

Last week, I had the privilege of ministering at a healing conference. I came expecting God to move, but what He did that day left me in awe once again of how deeply He cares for the human heart.

During the session, I taught on how our heart is God’s garden. Scripture paints a beautiful picture of the inner life as a place meant to flourish in His presence, a space where His love grows, His peace reigns, and His truth takes root. But often, through the wounds of life, we fence off parts of that garden. We build walls around our pain, resentment, and disappointment. Over time, those walls become prisons that keep us from receiving the fullness of God’s love.

That morning, I shared how God longs to walk freely in the garden of our hearts again. He desires to restore the places we’ve shut down, the emotions we’ve buried, and the relationships we’ve given up on. It was a powerful teaching moment—but what happened next was even more powerful.

A Moment of Healing

As we moved into a time of ministry, a middle-aged woman, let’s call her Miriam, came forward for prayer. Miriam is a Christian counselor, someone who has spent years helping others find healing and freedom in Christ. Yet on this particular day, God had something deeply personal for her.

As we began to pray, the presence of God filled the room in a tangible way. Miriam began to cry softly at first, and then the tears turned into deep, releasing sobs. The Holy Spirit was touching years of unspoken pain, memories that had been tucked away beneath layers of responsibility and ministry.

Moments later, she began to shake under the power of God, overwhelmed by His love. After the ministry time ended, my wife and I noticed she was still sitting quietly in her chair, weeping. We walked over and knelt beside her, and she looked up at us with tears streaming down her face.

Through her tears, she said words I’ll never forget:

“I saw Jesus. His nail-scarred hands were touching my hands and my heart. He was granting me fresh forgiveness and helping me forgive others. I could feel years of bitterness leaving me.”

In that sacred moment, Miriam encountered the living Christ, the One who still heals broken hearts and binds up their wounds (Psalm 147:3)!

The Power of Forgiveness

As she shared, we could see the transformation happening right before our eyes. Her countenance changed. The heaviness she carried was gone, replaced by a radiant peace. The lines of strain and sorrow softened, and joy began to shine through.

Forgiveness does that, it brings light where there was once darkness. It doesn’t erase the past, but it releases the grip that pain once held over our present. When Jesus places His hands on our hearts, He doesn’t just mend what’s broken; He makes it new.

So many believers carry silent wounds, old offenses, buried grief, deep disappointment that quietly choke the life out of their faith. But Jesus still comes to walk in the garden of our hearts, calling us to open the gates and let Him heal what’s been hidden.

Let Him In

If you’ve been carrying the weight of bitterness, resentment, or unforgiveness, you don’t have to carry it any longer. The same Jesus who met Miriam wants to meet you. He’s not waiting for you to fix yourself or pretend you’re fine. He’s waiting to touch your heart with His love and restore your joy.

Maybe you’ve prayed before and nothing seemed to change. Maybe forgiveness feels impossible. But friend, forgiveness isn’t something you do alone, it’s something you receive first. When you receive the forgiveness of Jesus, you are empowered to forgive others.

He is still the Healer of hearts. And He still turns gardens of pain into places of peace.

Learn More: Freedom from Unforgiveness

If this story resonates with you, I encourage you to read my latest post, The Bait of Satan: Freedom from Bitterness & Unforgiveness

It explores how bitterness becomes a spiritual trap—and how you can walk out of it with lasting freedom and healing.

May the same Holy Spirit who touched Miriam touch you as you read. May His nail-scarred hands rest on your heart, and may your garden once again bloom with grace, forgiveness, and peace.

You can break free from every negative influence present in your life! If you want to go deeper into the spiritual and emotional wholeness that God has for you, check out my book, Encountering Abba’s Heart, or use the purchase link below.

Encountering Abba's Heart