Isaiah 61.1-3

Assessing the Wounds
There are three levels of injury:

1. Superficial Injuries 
   These are typical hurts and disappointments all of us face.
   
   
2. Major Injuries 
   These include: loss of a loved one, infidelity of a partner, separation or divorce, loss of a job, infertility, abortion, addiction, emotional rejection, social isolation, untreated mental health issues, and poor health.
   
   
3. Trauma Injuries 
   These include: victims of abuse and assault, witnesses of war, extreme violence, or acts of terrorism, untreated mental illness, exposure to natural disaster, and murder, suicide, or abduction of a loved one.

Understanding the Wounded
As Christians, we must not be naïve about suffering this side of Heaven.

Scripture is filled with inner wounds of God’s people: Jacob, Hannah, Job, Jeremiah, Peter, and Jesus.

Signs that someone is struggling with an inner wound:

• Externalizing the wound
  Some people project their internal pain through displacement.
  
  
• Internalizing the wound
  The wound is repressed or compartmentalized deep within their mind and emotions.
  
  
• Numbing the wound
  Others numb their internal wounds with compulsions and addictions.

God invites each of us to consider His healing touch.


Cleanse the Wound by Processing the Pain
A wound that is not properly cleansed gets infected and can become a chronic wound; it never heals.

Once we cleanse a wound, a scar begins to form and healthy healing can begin.


Choose the Path of Forgiveness
There are only two paths away from offenses and wrongs: unforgiveness and forgiveness.


God’s Healing is Possible Through Faith
Psalm 38.5; 1 John 1.9

Faith practices to incorporate in your daily life:

• Trust – Give God control.
  
  
• Pray – Cast your cares upon the Lord because He cares for you. 1 Peter 5.7
  
  
• Believe – “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” Psalm 147.3

God’s Healing is Promised Through Jesus
Matthew 11.28-30; Isaiah 53.3-5


God’s Healing is a Process
Sometimes we are instantly delivered; sometimes God takes us through a process of releasing our burden and receiving healing.

• We release our burden through prayer and processing.
  
  
• We receive healing through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.
  
  
• We are healed through the work of Jesus Christ in our lives. 
  
  
• We are healed through worship as God inhabits our praises.