Scars and stories
Dear Louisiana Leader,
From now on let no one cause me trouble, for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus.
A few weeks ago, I was moving something heavy by myself. My bad decision to do it alone cost me. I ended up in an urgent care facility in Minden getting stitches that will forever leave a reminder of my mistake in my left hand. Over the years, I have accumulated several of those marks, reminders of an event or accident that caused pain and needed professional attention. One of those marks came from a tackle that ended in the hospital, another from an accident when my mom was driving, and another from a construction accident while building a church in Africa. Those and all the others were from a mixture of causes; some were my ‘doing’, and some were the results of others’ actions.
Each of those scars has a story, and each story has the potential for a lesson.
Wounds that ministry makes
Ministry provides similar moments and seasons that create wounds that need care and attention. Surely, I’m not talking about the physical wounds that Paul endured or those our brothers and sisters worldwide are still enduring today. I’m speaking of the emotional soul trauma and spiritual wounds incurred when bad things happen in ministry ‘to us,’ or in some cases, ‘because of us.’ Wounds are inflicted by an endless list of actions, which include betrayal, false accusations, wrong words, tragedy, seasons of drought, and even sincere efforts that end in discouraging results. Trauma causes wounds, and unlike physical wounds that heal in time – soul wounds can remain open and damaging for a lifetime.
Signs a wound is not healing
Wounds affect people differently but often cause hours of negative reflection, regret, anger, thoughts of revenge, despair, and even a desire to quit. Here are a few signs your wounds may not be healing: You are Ignoring or replaying the issue, You are emotionally enveloped in Blame, Anger, Apathy, Hurt, Frustration, and even Withdrawal. Do any of this look and feel familiar?
Walking through the wound
Here are a few actions that have helped me walk through the wound and not get stuck in a season of a Walking-Wounded Leader.
- Intentionally Inserting the Word into the Wound.
- Find a Safe Place of Trust to Talk it Out.
- Step out of ‘blaming others’ into ‘forgiving others.’
- Walk out of ‘self-shame’ and into ‘self-forgiveness.’
How I know healing is happening
I know healing is happening when my soul is full of Releasing, Engaging, Joy, and Learning.
- I am Releasing, not stuck in Replay or Revenge.
- I am Engaging people, not Withdrawing from people.
- I am Joyful and Hopeful toward the future, not Discouraged and Apathetic.
- I can find a lesson ‘in the event’ and move forward.
I pray that in difficult times, your ‘marks’ of the past will remind you that God’s Grace in the present is big enough to move you out of a season of wound and onward to Strong and Healthy!
Blessings,
Pastor Scott
Dr. J. Scott Holmes
P.O. Box 346
Woodworth, LA 71485
318.445.6238