Don't bury your wounds.

Burying emotions inside isn't a sign of strength.

When we are wounded we need to:

a. Find out which wounds need my attention most
b. How are they affecting me
c. Where am I on the path of healing
d. How can they make me stronger
e. How can God use my wounds for good

We must take ownership of our wounds. Until we do we will deny we have them. Once we own them God can (if we ask) start to heal them.

Wounds come in different varietes.

Here are a few:

1. Physical - most visible. Painful enough on their own, but often combined with others from the list

2. Sexual - This is one of the most personal and vulnerable areas of our life. Deep wounds can result from this kind, we can feel shattered.

3. Choices - Sometimes we make poor choices that lead to painful wounds. If we could go back and choose differently we would, but that isn't possible. We feel we only have ourselves to blame.

4. Verbal - Words can be as painful as physical wounds. Sometimes more so. Even when said unintentionally they can wound us deeply.

5. Social - We all want to be like. So if we are feeling ignored, embarrassed, excluded the wound is real. We tell ourselves we shouldn't feel that way but it is how we feel. Ignoring the pain won't heal the wound.

6. Spiritual - when we feel hurt by the church, someone in the church, or even God, the wound can cause a spiritual loneliness and depression. We think if God or His people hurt us then He must be against us. We think there can be no healing.

7. Emotional - Each wound above has an emotional part of it. Sometimes we bury the wound so far down it is hard to find. All we know is there is a deep, overwhelming ache.

Most wounds are a combination of the above list.

Ps 103:14 David tells us "He knows how we are formed, He remembers we are dust"

Jer 30:17 I will give you back your health and heal your wounds.