SOUL HEALTH MATTERS - Grace for this Wounded Soul
Chapter #3 “GRACE FOR THIS WOUNDED SOUL”
Soul injury may occur due to a sudden and specific one-time wounding, or it can arrive as a slow growing fog, massing thicker over time from numerous gouges to our soul. However it arrives, the injury often forces your true self to the background, fearful and uncertain, so that the “you” that you hold out to others is not a true and complete picture at all.
But this is never where God, the lover of your soul wants you to reside. He created your soul and wants to restore you to vibrancy and joy. Keep striving to see yourself as God does, hold onto hope as you learn to accept the grace he pours so freely.
Because, your SOUL HEALTH MATTERS!
“It is by God’s grace that you have been saved.
You receive it through faith.
It was not your plan or effort-it is God’s gift, pure and simple.” Ephesians 2:8. (The Vision Translation)
GRACE and EFFORT are sometimes confused.
In this confused reasoning, we may think, if I make enough effort, if I do enough good and don’t make as many blunders, then God will reward me with his mercy for all my exertions. But I ask you, if that is the case, how can it be a gift? Maybe we need to re-think this pure and simple treasure he offers.
We know the definition of grace refers to the undeserved favor of God toward us. Undeserved because none of us can ever be good enough. Jesus taught frequently about grace by his interactions and in his teachings rather than directly defining it as such. For example, the parables Jesus used help illustrate God’s merciful nature. The cool thing about parables is they give us a chance to let the profound lesson sink in - as we consider how it applies to our own life.
Parables are grace in action!
Jesus doesn’t shove the message down our throat but wants us to understand the spiritual teaching by using a practical message to help deliver the truth—which is sometimes hard to swallow.
Think about some of the parables he taught, such as The Sower and the Seed, The Workers in the Vineyard or The Lost Sheep. If you are even somewhat familiar with the New Testament, you immediately know what point he was bringing home. They each illustrate God’s remarkable grace and when considered, impact you all over again.
One of the better known parables, The Prodigal Son, (Luke 15:11-32) depicts the story of a young man who demands his inheritance, leaves his family home, squanders it, and then returns in disgrace. Despite the numerous bad choices the son made, his life, his father welcomes him back with open arms, restoring him fully as a part of the family.
The story clearly reflects God’s grace by showing his unconditional love and forgiveness he offers, in spite of our many missteps. It provides a picture of a father (God) who gives mercy freely and generously. The example embodies the core of the concept of grace offered to all of us. In whatever condition you find your soul right now, he longs to draw you in and hold you close to his heart, and welcome you into his family.
Part of the difficulty you may have accepting God’s grace is due to battles with guilt and shame, (which are evident signs of soul injury). In order to address them effectively, it is helpful to understand what they are:
Guilt - is the feeling of remorse over something we have done wrong.
Shame - is a belief that there is something fundamentally wrong with us.
Both emotions are painful and cloud your sense of self-worth.
Due to these emotions, you may believe God’s grace won’t apply to you. Perhaps you think you are too far gone or beyond redemption. Such faulty thinking causes you to pull away from God and put distance between you and your spiritual community.
In the last chapter we discussed ways God views your soul. The more you can focus on his perspective, or try to look from his vantage-point, the better you can see the big picture and accept his grace in your life. Doing so does not erase the injury to your soul, it doesn’t mean there is not more work to be done, but it means you are able to stand tall, knowing your soul is loved by God, he cares for you and works to restore you.
As King David battled the Philistines, he reflected in Psalm 56:8 on the truth that God cares and is aware of our needs. Reading this passage in different versions allows you to catch the flavor of David’s heart:
“You have stored my tears in your bottle and counted each of them.” CEV
“You have taken account of my miseries, put my tears in your bottle. Are they not in your book?” NASB
“I know that God is for me. List my tears on your scroll – are they not in your record?” NIV
But this one really grabs your attention:
“You have kept trace of my every toss and turn through the sleepless nights. Each tear entered in your ledger; each ache written in your book.” MSG
It is a remarkable concept that God is aware of your tears and the ways you’ve been hurt or saddened. Just the notion that he NOTICES or even keeps track is baffling.
What a gift to serve a God who takes note! Another pure and simple gift.
Grace is like this.
A few questions to ponder:
If God is keeping track of your “tossing’s and turnings”, how might he also help to heal the injuries to your soul?
List three truths you understand about God’s grace in your life:
1.
2.
3.
How do these truths remind you that God loves your soul and will help you recover from injury?
Why would God want you to heal beyond the emotions of guilt and shame?
What one step can you take today to begin the healing process? (feel free to share in the comments below)
Watch for the next chapter: SOUL HEALTH MATTERS - Self-Reflection for My Soul