Rubbing Salt In Your Wound
August 12th, 2007I have often used the expression, “rubbing salt in a wound.” Typically, we use it in the same way we use, “turning a knife.” We think of it as a bad, cruel thing.
Today, I was thinking about the expression. It occurred to me that while putting salt in a wound would obviously cause discomfort, it could also be a good thing. Salt in the Bible is different than the “when it rains it pours” salt that we are accustomed to. It contained more minerals and had more properties than ours. “Bible salt” was even extremely valuable. Soldiers (and others) were sometimes paid in salt. This kind of reimbursement led to the expression of someone being “worth his salt.”
If a soldier was wounded and someone put salt on the wound, it was actually to help him. The soldier would experience discomfort but the salt would cleanse the wound. It would also aid in the healing process.
When life’s tragedies come, remember the way of the salt. We often feel discomfort and pain before we heal. If someone “rubs salt in your wound,” remember that in the long run they are helping you to heal. It becomes a valuable albeit uncomfortable experience.
Keep The Light Burning!
Perry Greene
