When the Hurting Become the Healers
My husband and I were talking the other day about our church. You see, a couple of years ago our church found itself without a pastor. Right about the same time a pastor found himself without a church. To make a long story short, this godly man agreed to be our interim pastor until we could find a permanent one. What we didn’t know, and what he didn’t know, was what God was going to do.
As we met together every Sunday and Wednesday, he would preach from God’s Word. He would open the Bible to teach. We learned truth. We were encouraged and strengthened by God, but really God was using this time to guide us both through a time of healing. Something miraculous happened when he prepared to leave. He shared how God had used the months of preaching, and our church people, to heal his heart. Our church had wrapped our own hurting arms around him, only to find him doing the same. Together we held and healed each other. It was such a special time for our church. Often I think about what would have happened if this pastor had not come that one year. I believe in all honesty our church would look different today.
What an amazing truth: two broken things, coming together, letting God mend something tremendously broken. The other day I heard the lyrics from a song by Jason Gray: (Where We Go From Here) We look to use the broken things to put together broken things; just like it was always in Your plan…..Where the wounded become the healers.
When our life is at the end, we feel like the curtain is closing and its over. A season ends, sometimes so abruptly we lose our bearings and find ourselves in a pit. We are finished. The book closes, and the story cuts off. And we feel cut off. It’s over. But its not the end. Our God isn’t finished with our story. Divorce. Cancer. Death. Grief. Goodbyes. A wounded child. An empty nest. Broken dreams. Its not over. It’s only the beginning…..
The wounds you face now don’t need to be completely healed before you begin to heal. Our church and this pastor were still very much in a raw state when we came together. The wounded are the best healers.
- My wounds can heal others. It isn’t that God couldn’t heal in other ways, but so many times God uses the broken things to put together broken things. Its true. If nothing is wasted with my God, then my wounds are not wasted, especially when I reach out to heal someone else.
- I don’t have to wait to heal. I don’t need to dry my tears to reach out a hand. When this pastor shared a little of his hurt, our church just reached out. We were tender, kind, and accepting. And when he realized our hurts, he did the same. The wounded don’t have to be fixed to begin healing someone else.
Tweet ThisOh, the beauty of healing! Our God is indeed the healer. Exodus 15:26: If you will diligently listen to the voice of the LORD your God, and do what which is right in his eyes, and give ear to his commandments and keep all his statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you that I put on the Egyptians, for I am the LORD, your healer.
Do you know the context of God’s name, Jehovah-Raphe: The LORD Who Heals? It was at the waters of Marah. After the glorious rescue of the Red Sea, the Israelites began searching for water, only to find bitter, sour, and harsh water. But God turned the bitter water to sweet water. He then gave them this promises: I am the LORD, your healer.
Let me encourage your heart tonight. The bitter will be made sweet. And the healing He has planned for you may mean you reach out. Even if you hold out a shaking hand with visible scars to the person next to you, draw close to them. When the wounded become the healers, we find the true Healer and maybe even our own healing.
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What a beautiful message. I have seen this happen in my life for sure.
Thanks for reading sweet friend.
“I don’t need to dry my tears to reach out a hand.” Yes! Yes! A thousand times, Yes! Too often we think we need to be past a struggle in order to reach out to others caught in the same struggle. I have experienced the most healing when those still in the struggle have reached out. Thank you for this tender, compassionate post!
Sarah- so much truth here! Those yucky hard seasons are not in vain. Don’t they do the best refining? They open our hearts to be more compassionate to others.
I liked this post!
#TellHisStory
Julie
I love this message: we don’t have to be healed ourselves to help others heal. God is so compassionate to use us even when we don’t think we’re “ready.” I’m glad your church has been such a healing place for many.
Beautiful! Indeed…it’s not over. It’s just beginning.
Love “the wounded make the best healers” so trues. It’s so hard to see that in the midst of a trial. But when we can grasp that our hurt is for God’s bigger plan we are strengthened with His power! Thanks again, for linking up with #JesusandCoffee <3
Lovely story! God truly never wastes anything.
Thank you for sharing this: our Gid does indeed work in ways outside of our understanding!
Powerful message Sarah! Knowing our wounds can be used to heal others allows us to move beyond them to a place of deeper healing ourselves also. Thank God for his amazing grace!
Sarah,
What a beautiful image of the Church. Praising God for His work in the lives of your congregation and the Pastor! We need to hear more stories of this kind because we hear too many that are not as positive! Thank you so much for sharing!
Blessings and smiles,
Lori
What a beautiful “God Story”! Thanks for sharing it with us! I love how God breaks into our brokenness to bring healing…and use us to heal others when we let Him!
~Sherry
Sarah, I think when we look beneath the surface, we’re all hurting. Knowing that helps us hold on to each other trusting the One who is our ultimate healer. Thanks for this reminder this morning. I needed it!
what a great post related to life, school and so many other subjects. I believe we go through experiences so that we can help someone else that may have gone through, going through or will go through the same thing.
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I love so much about this post, Sarah. I’m in a season of healing and while reaching out to others often stirs up my own pain, God has taught me so much about the goodness that can come out of pain. Being authentic, vulnerable, and inviting others into my journey has given others permission to share their own struggles, and that has built a beautiful community committed to walking forward in grace together. So blessed to visit you today from #testimonytuesday.
Beautiful and I love that we can pray, encourage and heal together. Great post.
Thank you for linking up to “Bloggers Who Have Inspired Me”
Rachel xo
http://garaytreasures.com
I just found this but it is beautiful and reminds me of a similar experience at our church. Thanks for sharing!!
Love ,love ,love this message from God. JEHOVAH-Rapha has been always by my side ,I even named one my child after the name Rapha
Diana
My heart melted as I read this. I lost my husband to melanoma and since then I have met so many widows. My bible study group alone has seen three of us lose our spouses. I feel empty but perhaps I am able to help from my wounds. Thank you for these words.
Beautiful! I firmly believe that God uses everything we face to shape and mold us into who He wants us to be. And that He can use our every hurt as a means to reach out to others. Blessings!