We're All Wounded - From Broken to Beautiful

ISBN 978-0-9890872-1-6

50995>

US $9.95

9 780989 087216

Chapter 1

CHAPTER ONE INTRODUCTION The Reality of Life The reality of this life calls for pain. Gravity says you won’t float; you will fall down. You will get hurt here in this life. The reality of life is this is life, not heaven. Why do we act surprised? My daughter called me and said, “Mom, the devil is just after us this week. I got a speeding ticket and someone broke into our garage and stole Josh’s tools, and…” she went on and on. I finally said, “Honey, this is life, not heaven.”She paused and whispered, “Mom, you are so right! I think I have just had an epiphany!”

None of us goes through this life without wounds. The world is filled with imperfect people that hurt others, but even our Lord, who was perfect, said every right thing and did everything that was right, suffered. This world has been cursed (Genesis 3:17), it is filled with pain, and it is ruled by the prince of darkness (Ephesians 2:2). When we understand this, we are one step closer to healing our wounds.

Knowing we all have wounds somehow is a great comfort to us. We are not alone in this life in our suffering. In fact, our wounds and scars create who we are. They define us in many ways; some of us are deeply defined by our wounds and scars. So these wounds, these scars must be important and must be valued.If we value our wounds and respond to them properly, they will become for us a blessing, not a curse, a gift, not a weapon. For many their lives are devastated, crushed, and they will bleed until they die. For others of us, our

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We’re All Wounded

wounds have become beautiful scars that serve to remind us of the One we want to become more and more like (Colossians 1:24).

Hast thou no scar?

No hidden scar on foot, or side, or hand?

I hear thee sung as mighty in the land; I hear them hail thy bright, ascendant star.

Hast thou no scar?

Hast thou no wound?

Yet I was wounded by the archers; spent, Leaned Me against a tree to die; and rent By ravening beasts that compassed Me, I swooned.

Hast thou no wound?

No wound? No scar?

Yet, as the Master shall the servant be, And piercèd are the feet that follow Me. But thine are whole; can he have followed far Who hast no wound or scar?

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Chapter 1

CHAPTER ONE QUESTIONS 1. What Scripture refers to Satan’s hold on this world?

2. Why do bad things happen? Why is life so hard?

3. What, if any, is the value of emotional or psychological scars?

4. Are you asking, “Is anyone else hurt like me?”

5. How do your wounds define you?

6. What can we do to cope with the challenges of this life?

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We’re All Wounded

”…yet trouble came.”—Job 3:26

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