A fellow sister-in-Christ shared her testimony in church yesterday. Battling a psychological disorder, she banked on God's faithfullness and mercy, askinging God for healing. God, in all his mercy, did heal her. God's grace, she said, was the only reason she pressed on in her uphill climb during therapy. Now, she serves in the music ministry, among other ministries, in Bethesda (Frankel Estate) church.
One phrase she mentioned stuck in my mind... "Wounded Healer". She likened this phrase to herself as she's now a trained counsellor to help and guide others like her on this healing process. She went through the path of pain and suffering, to serve as a witness to how God can work miraculously and to better encourage others who are like her.
This phrase made me think... are the times of trial and pain in our lives also there to make us wounded healers? Having gone through similar paths before, are our trials put there to enable us to encourage those who are on the same path we once tread? To give us a better understanding of how to direct people to Christ, the ultimate healer, in that situation? I personally think they are.
Thinking about Christ himself... he went through tremendous pain. He shed blood. He was wounded for our transgressions. Christ was made like us in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest. So that he might make atonement for our sins. (Heb 2:17) He went through all that, all the suffering, so that He (the Son of the Almighty God) can help us... what amazing grace.
I'm learning day by day, that this is how we look to Christ in the midst of our suffering. To keep our eyes on the author and perfector of our faith. For it is only through Him that the suffering and pain in this world seem less significant. I can't say that I've learnt this lesson well. In fact, I'm still learning it right now... through the hard way...
There will be times when the pain seems too much to bear. Times when you just sit down and stare blankly at the wall, wondering... why? Nights when you look up at the ceiling wanting to sleep-- to escape the thoughts running through your mind, but yet, sleep eludes you. Times when you wish you had someone to talk to but nobody is free and you feel all alone. There will be times like these... I know, I'm going through them now.
But its at times like these that we need to look to the ultimate Wounded Healer, Jesus Christ. He has come down to us and continues to look out for us, to guide us, to intercede for us. On our part, do we look to Him? I hope we all learn to.
