Wounded Healer - Psalm 80

The Wounded Healer - Henri Nouwen

Nobody escapes being wounded.  We all are wounded people, whether physically, emotionally, mentally, or spiritually.   The main question is not "How can we hide our wounds?" so we don't have to be embarrassed, but "How can we put our woundedness in the service of others?"  When our wounds cease to be a source of shame, and become a source of healing, we have become wounded healers.

Jesus is God's wounded healer: through his wounds we are healed.  Jesus' suffering and death brought joy and life.  His humiliation brought glory; his rejection brought a community of love.  As followers of Jesus we can also allow our wounds to bring healing to others.

Psalm 80

. . . the son you have raised up for yourself

Let your hand rest on the man

at your right hand.

The son of man

 that you have raised up for yourself.

Then we will not turn away from you;

revive us, and we will call on your name.

Restore us, O LORD GOD ALMIGHTY,

make your face shine upon us, 

that we may be saved

Hear us, O Shepherd of Israel,
Awaken your might, come and save us.
Restore us, O God;
make your face shine upon us, 
that we may be saved.