No one escapes this life without his fair share of wounds. We all have gained the battle scars from life in this world. But it’s often through these wounds that we also discover our greatest ministry – becoming wounded healers and caring for others where we once bore our deepest wounds.
To be sure, in the midst of our struggle we just want healing for ourselves. We need someone to minister to us, as we can’t see beyond the pain of our own wounds.
And often those who help the most are those who’ve gone through a similar struggle. It’s like we speak the same language of understanding and their story gives us hope that this can be done – that healing is possible.
We then often want to give this gift back to others as well – to comfort others in their troubles with the same comfort that God provided for us through ours.
Sometimes this is helping others through the exact same issues we’ve worked through ourselves. But many times the particulars will differ as we find a shared experience in realizing we’re all living in a broken world and we desire to move ever closer to God’s best for us.
Either way, we don’t have to waste our pain, as our wounds can become our ministry.
Of course, we have to continue our healing journey ourselves – not letting the shame of our past wounds keep us from ministering to others in their time of need.
It’s tempting to hide our scars and pretend we’ve not suffered. But like Joseph, God often allows us to go through some things so that we can in turn bless others.
This is not always formal or explicit. Sometimes it’s just a passing comment or a knowing look that makes someone’s day and brings healing to their souls.
In the end, allow your wounds to serve a greater good – becoming a wounded healer and ministering to others where you were once wounded yourself.
Photo by Krzysztof Maksimiuk on Unsplash
