I've been reading the works of John Eldredge lately, one concept that he talks about that struck me is "entering the wound." Weather we are consciously aware of it or not, our emotional and spiritual wounds have a way of defining us; since they set the course for our entire lives. I say that because our wounds affect the way we perceive ourselves, as well as how we treat others. So much of what we do is an attempt to cater to our wounds. To cover up the sting of them, or to protect them from being reopened. So many of the sins we can never seem to overcome all come back to this, since we are merely addressing a symptom of a larger problem. One that we would just assume avoid, since healing often comes very painfully.
Just imagine if we truly approached sin as a brokenness to heal, rather than an evil to eliminate, or a mere conduct to change, it could completely alter our pursuit of righteousness. Which would inevitably lead to greater understanding in our spiritual walk. As opposed to the futility of dealing with things legalistically in the strength of our own flesh, as many others over the last few thousand years have tried and failed repeatedly. Which often leads to people trying to fake it, if not just give up. In the end, whitewashing our wounds does not make us anymore holy than washing our hands does.
It would also lead us to react to the sin of others quite differently as well. When we consider the wounds behind people's behavior, it is only then do we really see the person and the hurt they must deal with, rather than just the surface sin that glares at us. Only then can we love the person as God loved us through the struggle, rather than hate the sin as a means of forced submission. A sinful action in itself that we rationalize because we lack the maturity, understanding, and Christ-likeness of heart that comes from allowing God to transform your broken heart.
For many it's far easier to just cater to our scars with hidden sin, rather than go through the uncomfortable process of facing them. Even if there are many lingering symptoms and side effects from avoiding the problem. Since familiar problems often seem more tolerable than unfamiliar long term solutions.
As easy as it may sound, we can often make it difficult. Frequently we are not self-aware enough, to even know what to bring before God. The thing is we don't have to be, we just need to be brave enough to allow God to "enter our wounds" and face what he reveals to us. Only then can we take steps towards true healing and break the bondage that our scars hold us under.
What about you? Are you up to the enter the wound challenge?
For out of the heart come evil thoughts—murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander. These are what defile a person; but eating with unwashed hands does not defile them. -Matthew 15:19-20
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