Wounds can be physical,
emotional, and spiritual. In our faith journeys we often get wounded. Wounds stem
from many different sources: abuse, unfaithfulness, divorce, unhealthy relationships, bullying, neglect, poor self-image, etc. Most people bear some kind of wound, and some
people unfortunately harbor multiple unhealed wounds and scars.
Are you wounded? Do you
suffer from any of these symptoms
· Perfectionism
· Feelings of guilt and shame
· Feeling you’re never good enough
· Low self-image
· Self-hatred
· Critical spirit
· Insecurity
· Jealousy
· Bitterness
· Rage
If you answered “yes” to
any of these, you could be
“running wounded.”
Do
you recognize these as symptoms of being wounded? Sometimes we overlook the
cause and continue with the symptoms. We try to fit in, act properly, or we
often live in denial about our wounds. We think if we ignore them, they will go
away. We justify our wounds and try to be good, not rock the boat, and be in
control. These are attempts to live above
the wound.
Running wounded and
living above the wound have effects on our physical, spiritual, and emotional health.
We focus on the negatives instead of positives. We see the impossibilities
instead of the possibilities, and we are filled with fear instead of faith.
The focus on problems,
difficulties, and the blows of life leave you sapped of energy, discouraged,
and fearful. When we focus on our problems instead of our solutions, we are
living in our weaknesses. This focus will have an effect on our spiritual
journey.
Steps to
Receive Healing for Wounds
1. ACKNOWLEDGE the need for healing
2. LOCATE the cause of the pain.
3. CLEANSE the wound.
4. RECEIVE HEALING of the hurt.
5. STRENGTHEN the weak area.
How do we gain strength when
we’ve been wounded? Let’s look at 4 P’s to help us gain strength.
1.
Prayer
2.
Promises in Scripture
3.
Positive Affirmations
4.
Positive Christian support
As we gain strength in
our weak areas, let us remember never to waste our wounds. We use all that we
have experienced to provide love and encouragement to others who are wounded.
David's plea in Psalm 40 is for emotional healing. It gives us hope also for healing.
Psalm 40
1 I waited
patiently for the LORD;
he turned to me and heard my cry.
2 He lifted me out of the slimy pit,
out of the mud and mire;
he set my feet on a rock
and gave me a firm place to stand.
3
He put a new song in my mouth,
a hymn of praise to our God.
Click on the link below
to hear my 1 hour lesson on A Time for
Healing.
A Time for Healing by Dr. Cathy Robbs Turner