Soul care: Wounds in the way of living a fulfilling life

In the previous post, I shared about hidden treasures in uncertain times and how this time has allowed me to slow down and reflect.

The questions I wrestled with were: what do I need to live a more fulfilling life? What is in the way and what do I need to get rid?

A Listening Heart

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As I reflected on these questions, I discovered soul wounds I had stuffed down and buried that were in the way of my feeling refreshed and nurtured. They needed attention, but I was too busy to attend to them or so I thought.

But guess what, they seep out into my life and influence me unconsciously.

Can you relate? What wounds have you tucked away in your soul?

What are the sources of soul wounds?

Soul wounds influence our attitude and behaviors and silently sabotage us sometimes without our full awareness. They affect how we show up daily in relationship with ourselves, others, and in our actions. They leave us feeling drained because they sap our energy and sometimes cause physical illness. 

• Vows we made to ourselves because of childhood trauma
• Being passed over for promotion or for a job
• Growing up in a dysfunctional home with parents who treated one child better than another (showed favoritism)
• Events and experiences in our lives that impact us negatively such as emotional, physical, and verbal abuse.

What do unattended soul wounds look like?

• Sizzling Anger, Rage
• Bitterness
• Jealousy
• Envy
• Low self-esteem
• Lack of self-acceptance
• Critical spirit/gossip- constantly criticizing others. Putting others down to feel good about yourself.
• Strife, malice, manipulation
• Lack of self-control and dysfunctional behaviors

Soul wounds make us feel alone, abandoned, broken-hearted, and uncared for. As a result, we become good at wearing masks, putting up relational walls and hiding behind them. We stuff our emotions and feelings. Left unattended, these emotional wounds leave us in bondage and open to dysfunctional behaviors, attitudes, and the enemy’s attacks.

The effect of soul wounds in a family’s life

Let’s look at the effect of soul wounds in the life of Jacob’s family.

Jacob had twelve sons. He loved Joseph, his 11^th son more than his brothers because he was born by his favorite wife, Rachel. He made a beautiful robe of many colors for him but not for his brothers. That favoritism led to all kinds of havoc in Jacob’s family.

This left his brothers seething with anger and hatred towards Joseph. They could not speak a kind word to him (Genesis 37:4).

Joseph was totally unaware of the effect of his favored status on his brothers. He even shared his dreams with them which made them hate him more. In one dream, he shared how his grain stood in the middle and theirs all bowed to him (Genesis 37:8-11). The brothers hid their hatred and jealousy as they waited for an opportunity to deal with him.

One day Jacob sent Joseph to check on his brothers in the fields where they were grazing their livestock. When his brothers saw Joseph coming, they plotted to kill him and lie that a ferocious animal had killed him (Genesis 37:18-20).

If you asked Joseph’s brothers if they were capable of this attitude and cruelty, they would probably tell you NO. But the soul wounds created by their father’s favoritism made them vulnerable to go down this path of hatred, jealousy, and destruction.

How can we break the stronghold of soul wounds in our lives?

By becoming aware and honest about our soul wounds, we can take the necessary steps toward healing and wholeness.  We can overcome the bondage of soul wounds by:

• Slowing down
• Being Intentional
• Making time for reflection
• Asking questions and being honest about our feelings
• Praying and asking God to help us see our blind spots clearly
• Seeking Professional help

Identifying our soul wounds provides an opportunity to address them and then make a conscious choice of no longer going through life with a soul limp.

What soul wounds do you need to uncover and deal with so you can live a more fulfilling life?

Prayer

Father, I bless your Name. Thank you for loving me unconditionally. This season has given me an opportunity to slow down and take inventory of my wounds. Lord, please shine your light in the deep dark crevices of my soul. Help me to clear out the soul wounds that clog my heart and threaten to derail me. I need your healing touch Jesus. I apply the blood of Jesus to every soul wound and tear down every false protector. Lord, thank you for setting me free and healing me. Thank you for giving me a new heart by the power of your Holy Spirit. I pray with thanksgiving in the precious, powerful, and majestic name of Jesus. Amen.

Stay tuned… for part II: tips for healing, refreshing, and nurturing your soul.