Here are the notes from the message today:
Walking Wounded
We were created in God's image to bring Him glory! Our purpose is to reflect to the world His love and grace and truth and redemption. To reflect Him. Being a Christ follower is not about us, it's about Him in us. And when He does a work in us, it is to bring Him glory. One of these ways is when we are wounded.
When I think of the wounds that we've incurred throughout our lifetime I picture imaginary arrows sticking out of us (kind of like a porcupine!). Each one represents a wound of shame, guilt, feeling unloved, unworthy etc... These arrows ultimately come from Satan but through our friends, our families, our coworkers, our spouses etc...They have the bows that shoot the arrows.
Let me give you an example. If, as a child, a parent said to you that you were ugly, fat or lazy, that was an arrow shot at you. And if it wasn't removed, it is an arrow that has stuck with you your whole life. Fast forward to adulthood. A spouse, a friend, a co-workers says something to you about your appearance or your work ethic and *zing* that arrow has been hit again. That wound is still so tender because it has never completely healed. It's like your parent speaking that over you all over again.
These wounds are painful and the arrows, once they stick in us, may be hit {again and again} at any time by a loved one or a complete stranger. When they are hit, the original wound hurts again and we are reminded of that shame or guilt.
How do we tend to deal with the pain of the arrows? Well, many of us self-medicate with food, by isolating ourselves, using drugs or alcohol, by being involved in unhealthy relationships or by throwing ourselves into a ministry or a cause etc...When an arrow is hit by someone, we run to numb the pain with some form of self-medication. Something that will take the sting out of the hurt.
So now imagine 2 women with arrows everywhere trying to have a friendship with each other. They can only get so close to each other before they start hitting each others arrows. When this happens (when arrows get hit) we tend to back off, put up walls, hurt the other one, or make lots of rules (I'll be your friend but such-n-such a subject is off limits and if you go there we're done) in order to continue with this friendship rather than deal with the arrow itself . Being in a close relationship with another person can be painful because of our wounds. I see this as a huge challenge in getting women to form intimate friendships with each other. We are afraid to show another our wounds, to talk about them, to heal them. Thus the self-medication.
So how do these arrows get removed? How can we begin to be free from the pain of those hurts? 1Peter 2:24 says "He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds we are healed." Because of what Jesus did for us on the cross - taking on our sins - we can know the Great Physician and He can remove our arrows and heal our wounds.
Depending on how long the arrow has been there, the removal can be very painful. If it is the arrow from the example from our childhood, skin has grown over and around the wound. It's been there a long time! There may be surgery that is necessary. We tend to run from the surgery because we're afraid of the pain. But God wants to heal us wholly and completely. Yes it will hurt, but it will be real healing, not a temporary fix. The arrow will be removed and the skin can now heal completely.
There is an account in Acts where Peter and John heal a beggar and then turn to address the crowd. Acts 3:16 says "By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus' name and the faith that comes through him that has completely healed him, as you can all see." It is God who heals! It is faith in Him that heals. And that healing is for all who call upon the name of Jesus by faith.
After the arrow is removed the medicine we need is God's Truth. The prescription is apply daily, sometimes hourly. God's word is medicine to our souls and our spirits. Grab onto His word and apply it everytime a wound is hit. When the arrow of ugliness or laziness is hit, apply God's Truth about who you are. Tell the enemy that you are a child of God. Forgiven. Loved. Cherished.
Is there a way to avoid the arrows? Because there is still sin in this world arrows can't be completely avoided. People will still do and say mean and hurtful things. Many times we can't avoid being hurt. But we can do several things to limit the number that hit us.
We must start with repentance. Peter told that same crowd in verse 19, "Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord." God doesn't say repent just so we can follow laws. True repentance leads to true healing (refreshing!). We are walking away from the things that bring more arrows. We are walking away from the pit that pulls us in, beats us up, spits us out broken and bruised. God finds us, cleans us up, heals us, allows rest and then some of us walk right back into the pit. Repent.
Put on the armor of God! The belt of truth! The shield of faith to fight off the flaming arrows - I refuse to believe the lies! The sword of the spirit - I know what God's word says and I can believe that and live knowing the Truth! Read Eph. 6:13-18 for the complete description of the armor.
We need to evaluate ourselves daily. When you feel an arrow get twanged or an arrow get shot, immediately go to God for removal and healing. He puts the pressure on the areas He wants to heal. The less arrows we have, the closer we can stand together in relationship. It's a lifelong process but the Healer walks with us the whole way.
Do not wait until your arrows are gone to begin to make friends, however. Look for friends who will help you walk away from the pit. Who will encourage you. Who will speak truth and grace to you about arrows that are in your back that you may not see. God designed us for relationship. With Him and with others. Embrace that Truth!
Think of someone you may know who has had some major arrows removed (arrows of pain, suffering, unforgiveness etc.). God's glory is revealed in their healing! He has removed the arrow and poured out His Word into them to heal their wound. That's what it's about. His glory! May we all be reflections and testimonies of His healing power in our lives.
Can you identify your arrows?
Do you know how they got there?
Will you go to the Healer for healing?
Will you live your life to reflect God's hugeness?
Will you reflect His glory? His glory is revealed in the lives of those He has changed/healed/saved.
Be a part!
We were created in God's image to bring Him glory! Our purpose is to reflect to the world His love and grace and truth and redemption. To reflect Him. Being a Christ follower is not about us, it's about Him in us. And when He does a work in us, it is to bring Him glory. One of these ways is when we are wounded.
When I think of the wounds that we've incurred throughout our lifetime I picture imaginary arrows sticking out of us (kind of like a porcupine!). Each one represents a wound of shame, guilt, feeling unloved, unworthy etc... These arrows ultimately come from Satan but through our friends, our families, our coworkers, our spouses etc...They have the bows that shoot the arrows.
Let me give you an example. If, as a child, a parent said to you that you were ugly, fat or lazy, that was an arrow shot at you. And if it wasn't removed, it is an arrow that has stuck with you your whole life. Fast forward to adulthood. A spouse, a friend, a co-workers says something to you about your appearance or your work ethic and *zing* that arrow has been hit again. That wound is still so tender because it has never completely healed. It's like your parent speaking that over you all over again.
These wounds are painful and the arrows, once they stick in us, may be hit {again and again} at any time by a loved one or a complete stranger. When they are hit, the original wound hurts again and we are reminded of that shame or guilt.
How do we tend to deal with the pain of the arrows? Well, many of us self-medicate with food, by isolating ourselves, using drugs or alcohol, by being involved in unhealthy relationships or by throwing ourselves into a ministry or a cause etc...When an arrow is hit by someone, we run to numb the pain with some form of self-medication. Something that will take the sting out of the hurt.
So now imagine 2 women with arrows everywhere trying to have a friendship with each other. They can only get so close to each other before they start hitting each others arrows. When this happens (when arrows get hit) we tend to back off, put up walls, hurt the other one, or make lots of rules (I'll be your friend but such-n-such a subject is off limits and if you go there we're done) in order to continue with this friendship rather than deal with the arrow itself . Being in a close relationship with another person can be painful because of our wounds. I see this as a huge challenge in getting women to form intimate friendships with each other. We are afraid to show another our wounds, to talk about them, to heal them. Thus the self-medication.
So how do these arrows get removed? How can we begin to be free from the pain of those hurts? 1Peter 2:24 says "He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds we are healed." Because of what Jesus did for us on the cross - taking on our sins - we can know the Great Physician and He can remove our arrows and heal our wounds.
Depending on how long the arrow has been there, the removal can be very painful. If it is the arrow from the example from our childhood, skin has grown over and around the wound. It's been there a long time! There may be surgery that is necessary. We tend to run from the surgery because we're afraid of the pain. But God wants to heal us wholly and completely. Yes it will hurt, but it will be real healing, not a temporary fix. The arrow will be removed and the skin can now heal completely.
There is an account in Acts where Peter and John heal a beggar and then turn to address the crowd. Acts 3:16 says "By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus' name and the faith that comes through him that has completely healed him, as you can all see." It is God who heals! It is faith in Him that heals. And that healing is for all who call upon the name of Jesus by faith.
After the arrow is removed the medicine we need is God's Truth. The prescription is apply daily, sometimes hourly. God's word is medicine to our souls and our spirits. Grab onto His word and apply it everytime a wound is hit. When the arrow of ugliness or laziness is hit, apply God's Truth about who you are. Tell the enemy that you are a child of God. Forgiven. Loved. Cherished.
Is there a way to avoid the arrows? Because there is still sin in this world arrows can't be completely avoided. People will still do and say mean and hurtful things. Many times we can't avoid being hurt. But we can do several things to limit the number that hit us.
We must start with repentance. Peter told that same crowd in verse 19, "Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord." God doesn't say repent just so we can follow laws. True repentance leads to true healing (refreshing!). We are walking away from the things that bring more arrows. We are walking away from the pit that pulls us in, beats us up, spits us out broken and bruised. God finds us, cleans us up, heals us, allows rest and then some of us walk right back into the pit. Repent.
Put on the armor of God! The belt of truth! The shield of faith to fight off the flaming arrows - I refuse to believe the lies! The sword of the spirit - I know what God's word says and I can believe that and live knowing the Truth! Read Eph. 6:13-18 for the complete description of the armor.
We need to evaluate ourselves daily. When you feel an arrow get twanged or an arrow get shot, immediately go to God for removal and healing. He puts the pressure on the areas He wants to heal. The less arrows we have, the closer we can stand together in relationship. It's a lifelong process but the Healer walks with us the whole way.
Do not wait until your arrows are gone to begin to make friends, however. Look for friends who will help you walk away from the pit. Who will encourage you. Who will speak truth and grace to you about arrows that are in your back that you may not see. God designed us for relationship. With Him and with others. Embrace that Truth!
Think of someone you may know who has had some major arrows removed (arrows of pain, suffering, unforgiveness etc.). God's glory is revealed in their healing! He has removed the arrow and poured out His Word into them to heal their wound. That's what it's about. His glory! May we all be reflections and testimonies of His healing power in our lives.
Can you identify your arrows?
Do you know how they got there?
Will you go to the Healer for healing?
Will you live your life to reflect God's hugeness?
Will you reflect His glory? His glory is revealed in the lives of those He has changed/healed/saved.
Be a part!
Thanks for sharing this Jill. This is totally something God has been challenging me with lately, and He did some more challenging today.
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