Been Wounded Lately?

 

He healeth the broken in heart,
and bindeth up their wounds.
Psalm 147:3

(I must be honest and tell you that this is a repeat blog. It was written back in December of 2011. I have gone through one of those weeks we all would love to avoid but face them anyway every now and then. I needed this blog today so please forgive me for the repeat.)

The first time I can remember hearing the word “wound” was when I was a little girl in the 1940's. World War II was raging and I would hear my parents talk about a soldier from our town who had been wounded. My mother explained to me that a wound was a really bad hurt that enemy soldiers had caused our soldiers, like when a neighbor kid might push me down and I skin my knee or elbow but much worse. Mother wasn't very graphic, but I knew what a physical hurt of some kind was and I knew it hurt. My skinned knees and elbows usually healed with a kiss from Mother, that “red stuff in the small bottle that didn't burn” and a band-aid. 

I recall visiting a foster home in my casemanager days. The family dog knew my voice and would get excited when I arrived for a home visit. He was one of those big dogs that has all the overlapping folds of skin...loveable as can be but didn't know his own strength. Upon my entering the home on one particular day, that dog jumped up with his front paws landing on my shoulders. The foster mom called to the dog to get down and he did. But in the process, his left paw caught the back of my right hand. I had two deep scratches that immediately began to bleed something terrible. The foster mom was mortified. I just asked for the kitchen sink and lots of paper towels. She gave me ointment and a bandage, and we went on with the visit.  

I have to tell you that for weeks, the back of my hand was a sight. It probably took a month or two for my hand to heal and now I'm left with scars. Let me say, that during the healing process, my hand was very sore to the touch and was not pretty to look at. Right now, I can touch those scars, but they don't hurt anymore. I can look at the criss-cross scar on the back of my right hand now and remember a loveable dog and sweet foster family. That took time though. I know we don't want to hear it, but healthy healing really does take time.

Our wounds of the heart can turn out the same if we let them. However, I know people who have held onto bitterness for years that in some cases has poisoned their testimony and even affected their health. We're not meant to hold on for dear life to those hurts that probably in most cases, we couldn't have done anything about anyway. Wouldn't it be better if we let our hurts and wounds grow us spiritually. There are good things that can come from wounds.

Examples:

Wheat that is thrashed...for what....that you and I may have bread
Peeled orange................for what.....healthy food, juice and refreshment
Pressed fresh flowers....for what.....perfumes and resulting products
Beaten olives.................for what.....oil for the golden candlestick in the tabernacle
(These olives couldn't just be pressed in order to render what oil could be rendered. Scripture says that the oil that came from beaten olives caused the light from the golden candlestick to burn clearer and brighter.

I don't minimize the wounds you and I are sometimes called upon to endure, but I have learned that our wounds can be turned into blessing for God's glory. He wants to use every single thing in our lives to somehow touch the lives of others. We are living in a world weary day with people who are looking for Christians who live out their faith in such a way that a relationship with Jesus Christ looks inviting. Even other Christians are watching us to see how we get through some of the wounds that are often inflicted upon us. When people know we have been through a terrible time of wounding, they often don't understand the sweet aroma that can come from our lives during those times. When we go through our own thrashings, others hopefully will be lead to the Bread of Life. Our scars for a time may be very red and noticeable. As we keep functioning we later will look at a scar or two and even smile.

Some things we can remember:

1. God knows every hurt of any kind inflicted by anyone that touches us. He wants to comfort us like a mother would tend to a child's physical boo-boo. There are some folks, however, who refuse the comfort of God and want to live a life of self-pity, always seeking the sympathy of others. Others can do only so much...God comforts as no one else can.
2. Every wound in our lives is to be basted in praise.

In EVERYTHING give thanks
for this isi the will of God
in Christ Jesus concerning you.
I Thessalonians 5:18

3. Along with the above, we need to be careful how much energy we give to our hurts and wounds. That loss of energy can affect us mentally, spiritually and maybe physically. When wounded, we still need our sleep and intake of food and fluids. We need to be able to think with a clear mind. Attention still needs to be given to our prayer life that isn't always complaining to God, but that offers times of praise. Bible reading is a must but when sorely wounded, Revelation might not be the best book to choose to read. Select those Scriptures that are a balm for the soul. Select some of these ahead of time when not hurting and keep a list handy to refer to in times of difficulty.
4. Remember that there are wounds that are contageous. Physically there are infections that can spread because of exposure to someone else. There are vulnerable people who will take on the hurts of others and we don't want to be responsible for that. We should limit sharing information about our wounds only with a very few trusted, spiritually mature persons. Sometimes speaking openly about a specific difficulty can minister to people. I'm talking about the habit of just venting our hurts with anyone who will listen. That isn't beneficial for anyone...speaker or hearers.
5. I have to say somewhere in all of this that you and I must avoid self-inflicted wounds. Too often we take on the problems of others and our minds can be marked, scarred and in constant turmoil. I have decided that I am at an age where I just can't do that anymore. I will have a concern for those around me but only God can take care of some things no matter how much I take on. I will do what God wants me to do and leave the rest with Him. We often wound our own minds with worry and fretting that should just be turned over to the Lord.
6. Pray for those who have wounded you and forgive them. This is about as tough as it gets, but we are commanded to forgive even when people hurt us deeply and don't deserve an ounce of kindness from us. We forgive because God forgives us and He commands us to forgive. Jesus in His model prayer said, “Forgive us our trespasses AS we forgive those who trespass against us.” That's a lot of forgivin'.
7. Take everything to the Lord. He doesn't mind tears and doesn't need fancy long prayers. There have been times I've just said through tears, “Lord, help!” because that was all I could utter with the broken heart that was throbbing inside of me. We tend to go to everyone else with our hurts, but that's not where we are supposed to go.

Cast thy burden upon the Lord,
and He shall sustain thee;
He shall never suffer the righteous
to be moved.
Psalms 55:22

Let's never forget though the wounding of Jesus that He endured for us. He suffered pain...the worst of pain...undeserved pain...and it was for you and me. 
 

But He was wounded for our transgressions,
He was bruised for our iniquities:
the chastisement of our peace was
upon Him and with His stripeswe are healed.
Isaiah 53:5

Wounded...bruised...chastisement...stripes...all four of those things were deliberate physical acts. He endured hateful, aggressive torture not counting the malicious taunting involved. This occurred all for you and me. Through all of that, you and I have spiritual wholeness and healing. In light of His suffering, the wounds we sustain on this earth for a time seem to pale in light of His glory.

Thank you, my Savior, for bearing all You did on the cross for me. The hurts I endure on this earth are nothing compared to what you bore for me, not just on the cross, but all of the torture you endured in every way for everyone. May I never forget Your willingness to be wounded for me. Thank you dear Jesus for Who You are in my life everyday. Forgive my being forgetful of all you did. As You forgive me, may I be willing to forgive others. I love You.  In Jesus' precious name.  Amen.