Wounds are real! Whether inflicted by others, circumstances, or even ourselves, there may be wounds that can fester beneath the surface of our hearts, impacting every aspect of our lives. Within the church community, where love and acceptance should abound, many still bear the scars of past hurts. But there is hope. There is healing.
At its core, woundedness hinders intimacy—with God and with others. The fear, shame, and guilt stemming from past wounds create barriers that prevent us from fully experiencing the love and acceptance that God offers. Rejection, abandonment, and betrayal often lie at the root of our woundedness, shaping our perceptions of ourselves and others. But the psalmist reminds us that “the LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit” Psa 34:18, offering comfort and restoration to those who are hurting.
One of the most insidious effects of woundedness is shame. Whether deserved or not, shame creates a guilt consciousness that distorts our self-image and colours our interactions with the world. But as followers of Christ, we are called to live in the freedom of His grace. The apostle Paul declares, “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Rom 8:1), inviting us to release the burden of shame and embrace the forgiveness and acceptance that Christ offers.
Central to healing the wounded heart is the need for acceptance, both from God and from others. Wounded individuals often seek validation and affirmation to compensate for feelings of rejection. Yet true acceptance can only be found in God’s unconditional love. The apostle Paul reminds us that we are “accepted in the Beloved” (Eph 1:6), invited into a relationship of intimate communion with the One who created us and knows us intimately.
While acknowledging our woundedness is an essential first step, true healing comes through the transformative power of God’s love. By embracing His unconditional acceptance, we can begin to shift our focus from past hurts to the hope of restoration that He offers. The prophet Isaiah declares, “He was wounded for our transgressions; He was crushed for our iniquities; upon Him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with His stripes, we are healed” Isa 53:5, pointing us to the ultimate source of healing—the Cross of Christ.
As we journey towards healing, we must also embrace our identity in Christ. No longer defined by our past wounds, we are invited to see ourselves as new creations—redeemed and restored by the power of His resurrection. The apostle Paul declares, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come” 2 Cor 5:17, calling us to live in the freedom and wholeness that Christ offers.
Walking in wholeness is not a one-time event but a lifelong journey of alignment with God’s truth. By renewing our minds and allowing God to heal our emotional wounds, we can experience the freedom and joy that come from living in His presence. The psalmist declares, “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds” (Psa 147:3), inviting us to trust in the transformative power of His love.
Healing the wounded heart is not a quick fix or an easy journey. It requires courage, vulnerability, and a willingness to trust in God’s healing grace. But as we surrender our hurts and brokenness to Him, He promises to restore and renew us, transforming our pain into a testimony of His redeeming love. May we journey together, hand in hand with our Saviour, towards the healing and wholeness that He offers.
As we journey towards healing, we must also embrace our identity in Christ. No longer defined by our past wounds, we are invited to see ourselves as new creations – redeemed and restored by the power of His resurrection. The apostle Paul declares, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come” (2 Cor 5:17), calling us to live in the freedom and wholeness that Christ offers.
Walking in wholeness is not a one-time event but a lifelong journey of alignment with God’s truth. By renewing our minds and allowing God to heal our emotional wounds, we can experience the freedom and joy that comes from living in His presence. The psalmist declares, “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds” (Psa 147:3), inviting us to trust in the transformative power of His love.
Healing the wounded heart is not a quick fix or an easy journey. It requires courage, vulnerability, and a willingness to trust in God’s healing grace. But as we surrender our hurts and brokenness to Him, He promises to restore and renew us, transforming our pain into a testimony of His redeeming love. May we journey together, hand in hand with our Saviour, towards the healing and wholeness that He offers.
Author
kay.alli@legalview.co.uk