WORD TO PONDER:  ABUSED SOULS  1/18/07

In the natural maturation process, it takes time to unwind the issues of an abused soul and see how it bends towards certain behavioral patterns.  One can respond perfectly normally, until a situation gets too close to an old wound, and then old dysfunctional patterns emerge.  Within every person there is a child part that has never grown beyond repeated old wounds.  Lives continue, life matures and grows around those places.  But in areas too close, the child remains.

The old gnarled places are like knots in a tree, with circular patterns extending from the injury.  The closer one gets to those places, the more contorted they are.  That describes the human way that puts up safety measures and barriers so as not to get too close to that old pain.  I understand your pain, dear one, and how you got there.  I understand each and every issue much deeper than you remember.

It is important to Me that you do not define yourself by these incidents.  A knot in a tree does not define the tree as dysfunctional.  It is still a tree and few when looking at a tree even notice knots.  A knot in a tree really says that the tree has overcome something and yet thrives in spite of it.  It is a hero badge.  Those wounded places will become your greatest assets as you are empowered by My Spirit to heal others of the same issues.  Remember that I AM calling you beyond your wounded child, into full maturity in every area of your life.  As you circle an old dysfunctional place knowing that your behavior is not lining up with My will for you, offer up to Me the need for healing.  Confess your falling short.  Ask Me for wisdom to help you understand how you got there, and then FORGIVE and release the bitter memories that tells you that today is the same as yesterday.

Ps 147:2-6 NKJV

The LORD builds up Jerusalem; He gathers together the outcasts of Israel.

He heals the brokenhearted  and binds up their wounds.  He counts the number of the stars; He calls them all by name.  Great is our Lord, and mighty in power; His understanding is infinite.  The LORD lifts up the humble; He casts the wicked down to the ground.