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Why Do Christians Shoot Their Wounded?

           I attended one of the most amazing bible colleges money could pay for. I have a very expensive degree in biblical education that I only use to debate with my friends who also attended bible college and for my personal studies. Every now and then I feel the bible geek in me creep into random conversations and most are stunned. Like the day a close friend of mine texted saying she heard an elderly woman say, “God don’t bless mess.” It was a group chat and everyone laughed. I mean, it was funny. But then I went on a rant…

            “I really despise sayings like that. That’s not even biblically sound because I mean, who isn’t a mess. And who are you to tell me that God won’t bless me because I am broken. This is why people don’t go to church or trust in the Lord. Because of dumb sayings like that. I am a mess and somehow I keep waking up with breath in my lungs. That’s a blessing.”

            Well, these are not the friends that attended bible college with me so the group message went completely silent and no one spoke of it until days later. “You were so mad.” And I’m not recounting this awkward moment to boast in my education. I’ll admit, 50,000 dollars in debt later I am not the bible scholar I paid to be. However, my ministry is to the broken and guilty and ashamed. I know this because I fit perfectly in those categories. Me and ALL my MESS!

            When did we cross the line from being believers to police officers? When did we become more concerned about the struggle and less inclined to pray for healing? How did we earn the right to step on those trying to stand up? Because let me tell you, we have all seen rock bottom at some point. Yet when we get a few steps ahead we look down at those still there and shake our heads. When did we become the authority of God’s sovereignty? It is always clear to me that God looked at the least of them! When the apostles tried to push the children back he said “let them come to me.” The woman with the issue of blood had to press her way to him just to touch the hem of his garment and she was blessed. And what about the man laying at the pool who He made whole? READ. YOUR. BIBLE.

            I remember sitting in a classroom in college and my teacher had told us to order a book titled, “Why Do Christians Shoot Their Wounded?” I still have that book in my library and reference it often. It is a reminder to be gentle and kind towards those around me. And if I am honest, I am rough and mean. My mom tells me often. I used to be a cry baby but at some point in my life I stopped looking for reasons to wallow and be pitied and I started searching for results. Sure, I have my moments but they never last long. I want results. And with that mindset, I have to be intentional about how I treat others. Sometimes you have to comfort your hurt friends. Maybe they are not immediately seeking healing. Maybe they need a second to regroup. Maybe they like being broken. Whatever it is, I am required to handle them with care. That’s just what God has required of us.


            (sighs) I just really had to release that. If you’re reading this and you are in a storm or just beat down, remember to be kind to yourself. Remember that you were created in HIS image and that means whatever you do to yourself you are doing to Him. Give your wounds time to heal. And after you have your moment, PRESS forward. All you need is to touch the hem of his garment.

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