Soul Wounds

Are you hurting? Many of us are wounded and may not realize it. It's

easy to pretend we're ok verses dealing with the pain of our emotions. Our wounds are often reflected in many ways. Such as our words and behavior. From the interactions I've had throughout my life I've come to realize some of the most wounded people are those with the harshest words. It's very easy for them to use their tounge as a weapon to tear down others. And not see anything wrong with their behavior. Scripture teaches us the importance of a kind word (Proverbs 16:24, Pleasant words are as a honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones). I think we often forget that we are spiritual beings living in a natural body, our lives are spiritual. It's our souls that become scarred when we're hurt, and if we don't deal with those wounds we will live with their negative effects our entire lives. For example, for some people they can't form healthy relationships because of being hurt in the past. The wound is still open and the person(s) who caused the pain is still affecting their lives. They've allowed that hurt to stop them from opening their hearts to anyone else. Sometimes we're living with unforgiveness without knowing or being willing to acknowledge it. Our words reveal what's really in our hearts. When our souls are wounded we think it's hidden but more often than we know those around us can see our brokenness. It's revealed through our actions and through our guarded conversation. When we replay in our minds or constantly talk about something that happened which caused us pain that's an indicator that our souls aren't healed. Healed souls don't live in the past, we can't change what's happened. When we allow the past to imprint itself on our present it's a form of bondage. It's time for us to break free. Think about the betrayal Jesus endured yet he forgave and forgot, but we seem to have a more difficult time doing the same. Or, let's think about the people we have betrayed or hurt, at some point each of us have been the wrongdoer. I know we like to think of ourselves as only being the victim but there are many who would say otherwise. Whose soul have you wounded? I know the feeling of a wounded soul through the words of another, I've literally felt them. And it was crucial for me to admit the pain and immediately ask God to help me not walk in unforgiveness or hold on to it. In the midst of the verbal abuse I said to myself this won't happen again. What I have done in both cases is limit or end my interaction with these individuals. I need my soul to thrive and I must be able to recover quickly from the spears thrown at me. Each of us are responsible for our healing and the care of our souls. There are many issues that we've faced that's still attached to us, if we think about our behavior and our reactions. Are we responding from brokenness or like a person who is healed? I have really been focused on my soul wounds and in doing so I was surprised by the people and issues that came to the surface. It appears that while my mind and my words said I was ok, my soul said otherwise. God has shown me issues I thought I brushed off but were lingering in my soul. I've been able to forgive, release, and let it go. The healing is complete when we no longer feel the need to talk about it, think about it, or allow it to affect our lives. If your soul is wounded don't ignore the source of the pain. Deal with it, heal from it and live your life as happy as God intended for you to. Thank you for reading today's blog post, I hope it brings some comfort to your soul. And, never forget, we are unstuck, and we are free!