Sometimes, I get really dry skin. This is particularly true in the winter. My hands are the worst. It gets to the point where my hands, particularly my knuckles, will start to bleed. Then they’ll get scabs. I’ll also sometimes get really dry skin around my ears, which also may turn into scabs. Not to get too gross or graphic, but this dry skin might also start to bleed.
What Happens With These Scabs
Unfortunately, once my skin gets really dry, it also gets itchy. That means I start rubbing and sometimes scratching it. Then what happens? Yep, the scabs start to bleed, and the healing process has to start all over again. Even bending my fingers may make my knuckles start to bleed when they’re at their worst. Even though I know the end result, I’ll often rub or scratch it because it itches. I know it’s not going to turn out well, but in the moment, rubbing or scratching offers that momentary relief.
Are You Scratching the Scabs of Repentence?
Repentance can be hard, particularly if it’s your “favorite sin.” We may begin the repentance process, even have that scab of healing in place, and then return to that sin, tearing off the scab of healing. In the moment, it may feel great to go back to that old, familiar sin. Yet, as we destroy the work of healing that we’ve already done, we have to begin the repentance process all over again. It can be frustrating and discouraging. You might start wondering if it’s worth it and if you’ll ever heal from your sins.
What Can We Do Instead?
Fortunately, there are several things we can do instead of scratching or rubbing the scabs of repentance. As we do these things, we can aid in the repentance process.
Use Lotion
This last winter, I was better about using lotion, dry skin spray, and other products than I am most years. My dry skin wasn’t as bad as it is normally. Lotion and other products can be used as a preventative measure as well as to heal dry skin before it gets worse.
What does this have to do with repenting? The lotion in this case is anything that prevents that sin from happening or from getting worse. This is an activity that brings you closer to Heavenly Father. This may include scripture study, going to church, serving others, praying, serving in the temple, or any number of other things that turn your focus to Heavenly Father rather than your desire to sin. As our focus is on the “lotions of life,” our lives will be nourished, and the sins won’t seep through, causing problems.
Put On Those Gloves
I have gloves that are specifically for dry skin. I’ll put lotion or bag balm on my hands, and then I’ll put the gloves on. This helps to provide them with moisture, and it makes it a lot less likely that I’ll try to rub or scratch my itchy skin. When it comes to repentance, these gloves are the people around you who are going to encourage you in your journey. With their help, instead of falling back into a bad habit, you can allow the healing process of repentance to work in your life. They can distract you from sin and remind you why you don’t want to fall back into bad habits.
Avoid Obsessing Over the Scabs
While it’s sometimes easier said than done, one of the best ways to not pick at scabs is to not think about them. When I’m not thinking about my dry hands, the temptation to scratch or rub them is less likely to be there.
It’s the same with a sin you’re trying to overcome. If you’re not thinking about that sin and obsessing over it, the repentance process is more likely to go smoothly.
Don’t Focus on the Setbacks
When I get dry skin, there are going to be times when I rub off the flaky skin a little too roughly. There are going to be times when I bend my fingers, and the dry skin bleeds a little. When this happens, I can have the attitude, “It’s already bleeding. I might as well rub it more,” or I can realize that it’s time to stop rubbing them and maybe put some lotion or ointment on them. I might even decide to put a Band-Aid on it if it’s excessively dry or bleeding.
It’s the same with the repentance process. There will likely be times when the repentance process goes smoothly. Unfortunately, there will likely be times when you repent, and then you go back to that same sin. We can give up and decide that we’ll never do better, or we can use this as an opportunity to recommit to repentance.
Repentance and Healing: Easy or Hard?
Overall, the repentance process is generally not going to be easy. There’s a reason you sinned. Overcoming the natural man and becoming more like our Heavenly Father is not a simple one-time process. As we get better at it, the process becomes a little easier and less painful or uncomfortable.
