Monday, November 28, 2011

Wounds

Our former pastor (Gene Appel) preached a message and shared the definition of an emotional or psychological "wound."  It is "a deep sense that there is a core part of us that is unlovable, unaccepted, and unwanted."  Wounds like that are not healed easily.  He also said...

"Reality is that we can't make it through life without somebody hurting us, leaving nicks, cuts, and sometimes even gashes in our souls; and we have to learn how to access the God who is greater than our hurt. It just doesn't work when we try to cover our wounds with success or achievement or try to keep the hurts deeply buried. In Psalm 55, we learn from King David's experience that rather than burying the hurt, we have to acknowledge it; and rather than expecting instantaneous healing from God, we have to have a persevering mindset. Healing takes time. In God's mind, our hurt always has two intended recipients: us and someone else. Typically it's our wounds that equip us to serve others in their woundedness. And with regard to the one who has caused us hurt, we have to leave justice to God, the God who is greater than."

It is the grace of God that says that we *are* lovable, wanted, accepted. It seems natural to look for healing to come from the one who hurt us, rather than the One who created us. But God's plan and purpose for us was never meant to be natural. Gene's right... Based on the Word of God, we are to comfort others with the comfort we ourselves received from God.  He is faithful. 

Who in your life has been a living example of love and acceptance?  Thank God for that gift of grace.

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