HEALING CONVERSATION
Healing conversation is important in fostering emotional, mental, or even physical healing. Its conversational model involves open and empathetic communication, creating a safe space for the interlocutor to express all kinds of feelings, concerns, and experiences, without fear of judgment. Healing conversations entail skills such as active listening, validating emotions, offering support to the interlocutor, and exploring solutions through probing questions.
These skills can be applied in various situations, such as therapy sessions, care groups, or interactions with family members. Such dialogues are typically deep and meaningful, aimed at building relationships, facilitating healing, and providing room for growth.
Characteristics of a healing conversation include warmth and creating a cozy and pleasant conversational atmosphere. It involves supportive language, moral support, and acceptance from the interlocutor, free from criticism and judgment. It also includes genuine expressions or questions to express needs or arising feelings.
In John 4, Jesus demonstrated engaging in a healing conversation with a Samaritan woman. Naturally, Jesus felt thirsty and genuinely asked for water, “Give me a drink.” As the story unfolds, it reveals the social status of a Samaritan woman compared to Jews. However, by seeking help from someone who felt “worthless,” Jesus was saying, “You are worthy for me.” This clever strategy led to a deep conversation that fostered trust and openness.
To raise greater awareness, Jesus continued with probing questions, “Go, call your husband, and come back.” Although aware of the woman’s situation, Jesus asked a question that would prompt a deeper awareness of her “heart condition.” With trust and honesty, the woman willingly revealed her own “existence” without being prompted. Long story short, with self-awareness and a strong commitment, the woman was willing to take steps to change her life path.
Healing conversation is a conversation that heals and provides room for growth and can be applied within families as well as broader communities. What about our families, prayer groups, or conditions within the church? Perhaps this beneficial skill has escaped our attention. How wonderful it would be if members of our community groups possessed such skills. They would have stronger relationships and provide space and opportunities for healthy growth and mutual healing.
In the journey of life, sometimes we inadvertently encounter wounded individuals. Perhaps many such individuals are around us. Because we live in a world that is wounded. Whether consciously or not, to a small or large extent, each of us has been wounded, so each of us needs healing and must be vigilant to keep our souls strong and healthy.
Ultimately, “healing conversation” is an important skill to possess and develop within families, as well as in care groups or churches. What kind of conversational model have we been practicing and passing down to our loved ones?
Source: Ps. Agus Prihardjo (Coordinator of Mental and Moral Health)
