“Nobody escapes being wounded.
We all are wounded people, whether physically, emotionally,
mentally, or spiritually.
The main question is not ‘How can we hide our wounds?’
so we don’t have to be embarrassed
but ‘How can we put our woundedness in the service of others?’
When our wounds cease to be a source of shame
and become a source of healing,
we have become wounded healers.”
(Henri Nouwen, Bread for the Journey, July 8 selection)
Some people write memoirs about good, happy experiences.
We can read memoirs about adventure, about raising kids, traveling, falling in love, teaching, and about succeeding in any number of ways. And they are all so good, so powerful, so inspirational.
But some people write memoirs about their wounds and brokenness—results of their own foolishness or someone else’s evil inflicted upon them.
Wounded people’s memoirs can be good, too, and powerful, and inspirational.
How can that be?
Because of what we learn from 2 Corinthians 1:3-4. It’s so important! Make time to take it all in!
Let God use your wounds and your words
to comfort others with the comfort He has given you.
In that way, you can be what Henri Nouwen called
a “wounded healer.”
I believe that in the process of sharing your story,
God will continue to heal your wounds!
Hurting people out there need to know your story,
need to know how you survived,
need to know how God has sustained you
and gave you reasons to live and thrive.
Your story is important!
Write your story!
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