Walking "to help the brokenhearted,"

Light fiters on flowers - simple beauty

 Isa. 61:1-3 refers I believe to the Lord Jesus, cf. Luke 4:18, 19. In particular His first coming is refered to in Isa. 61:1-2a. In my title I have isolated the thought "to help the brokenheated" Most translations translate the word bind for help. The Net Bible translates "help" but notes "tn Heb “to bind up [the wounds of].” A wound often requires binding to close it so that it heals. Today we can bind up the differnent parts of the body that has been wounded. The binding supports and protects the injured area until the body heals and forms scar tissue. Such aid can be life saving and help restore a wounded person back to life. Today we are putting a price tag on that care and we will soon decide who gets care and who won't. In war or catastrophy we have to do it because of the situation. Some are beyond help. But greed and cost are not the same as caring professionals trying to save who they can.
How can walking heal the broken hearted? Now we move from a physical wound to a spiritual and emotional wound. Dr. Ken and Tyler Cooper write in Start Strong, Finish Strong on pp. 120, 121 the benefits of aerobic exercise for the brain itself and our emotional well being. For years we have seen reports of the benefit of a runner's high. We now know walkers can have that too. Mildly depressed, walking can help. More severely depressed, we need professional care, but walking can be part of the treatment. The two phychiartrists that treated me both encouraged my walking along with therapy and medicine.
I liken my depression like my treatment for blood pressure. Both need professional oversight and both are helped by walking. I also believe strongly we are much better with care than hiding or ignoring our pain. Illnesses of the brain and nervous system are in my book on par with heart disease, cancer, and diabetes. We have a lot of hope today.

It is easy to feel a good walk

Back to how walking can heal the broken hearted. Who are we walking with? Is the walk relaxing and pleasant? Walking in the outdoors and in particular in a walking park we are surrounded by birds, plants and sky. Many times there is some body of water near by. If you park has city noise, bring along an ipad where you can download relaxing sound from nature or music. In an emotional healing walk let your body find its pace. Movement is always healthy. Feel how strong your legs are and how clean the air is coming into your lungs. Look at the tree line and blue sky, watch the lake as you walk by, give your worries a time out. If you are walking with some one, discuss no problems on the walk. Leave the work place and home for your walk. Talk in the car on the way back if you like.
Get the help you need and the support. If three or four walks are aerobic in your week take two or three healing walks a week as well.

I can't put a time limit on when your heart will heal but walking can be part of that healing. Going back to our scripture one you can always walk with is Jesus who is the "Great Physician". Spend time with Him, read a couple of paragraphs from Scripture, talk to Him as you walk. Feel free to state your complaints, but don't stay there. Find things to be thankful everyday and give praise. Notice the beautiful things on your walk. To life, keep walking.