Life moves on. The mind and soul might begin to heal, but the body—that’s a different story. It holds onto the past, a silent witness to every hurt and every wrong. For those of us who have walked through deep pain, this is a truth we feel in our bones. We can pray, go to church, and do the work to heal our spirit, yet our bodies can still react as if the past is present.

As Christians, we often hear about the battle between the spirit and the flesh. We learn that we can surrender our bodies to Christ, but that we can’t fully trust our own “flesh” because of its history of giving in to temptation. The apostle Paul knew this struggle well when he wrote, “I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate.” It’s a real, raw war that happens inside of us.

But what if this isn’t just a battle to be won, but a story to be understood?

Modern science and theology are starting to say the same thing: the body keeps the score. It doesn’t forget the trauma. Your nervous system, your physical being, holds onto the past like a memory book. It’s not a sign of spiritual failure; it’s just the truth of how we’re made.

This idea helps us reframe how we see our faith journey. What if the goal isn’t to escape our bodies, but to invite God’s grace to inhabit them fully?

Consider this: after the resurrection, Jesus’ body was healed and glorified, but the wounds from the crucifixion were still there. Thomas had to touch them to believe. Christ’s scars weren’t erased; they were transformed. They became a powerful testament to His victory over death.

Our scars, both visible and invisible, can also be a testament. They can show the world what God has brought us through. Our bodies are not our enemies. They are a sanctuary for the Holy Spirit. The path to healing isn’t just in our minds; it’s in our physical being. It’s in learning to breathe through panic, to find peace in a safe space, and to let our nervous system know that the danger has passed.

Healing is an embodied experience. It’s a process of inviting the Spirit to redeem all of you—mind, soul, and flesh.

So, the next time your body remembers a past you’re trying to forget, offer it compassion. It’s a part of you that also needs to be brought into the light of God’s love and healing.

The war between the flesh and the spirit is real, but maybe the point isn’t to destroy the body. Maybe the point is to let it be a living testament to a God who doesn’t erase our wounds but transforms them into a story of resurrection.

What is one way you can show your body grace this week? Let me know in the comments below.