To the wounded healer.

Are there times you have placed you aside, though you needed the help equally or more, just to help others? Well, this is for you.

With the love of many waxing cold, it is rare to find these kind of people. Even more they often go unappreciated. Therefore, I would personally like to appreciate you, if you are a wounded healer. Realize that your eccentric initiative makes the world a bit bearable. It is the noblest task, second only to glorifying God.

With that being said, it is easy to fall into self pity if you live recounting how many people did not return to say thank you. You may likely turn bitter and resentful rooted from valid and entitled gratitude. These feelings are nevertheless avoidable. Avoidable is key because people can actually be very ungrateful and at the same time finite. Finite because they may not actually know how much it cost you to help, and sometimes, they shouldn’t. Therefore, serve not expecting appreciation. Let seeing someone doing better from your efforts be the thank you.

It is also paramount to search within of what the intentions of your helping are. Are you helping to be appreciated, to be elevated, to feel you are better than those who didn’t, out of pity or to just for Christian formality? For any of the above, the end result will be fatigue, pride or bitterness. I give you the fundamental intention for every work of kindness..

I would not encourage the formal politeness current with the world, which is destitute of the true spirit of courtesy, but the politeness that springs from real kindness of feeling. HP 296.5

This, however, can only spring up from a heart that is constantly looking to Christ. It is only natural for the carnal man after helping to expect some glory, especially when it involves some denial of self. But if we are to be joyful in our service, if we are to actually enjoy and be constant in this noble course, we can only ask from the One who Himself was the sacrifice, who sacrificed all. Let every hand given then be out of kindness and brotherly love. Only then will we find beauty in ministering.

There is also a syndrome that befalls wounded healers of thinking you can help everyone. The spirit is admirable but it is often a recipe for disappointment. Your path will cross by people whom you can help wholly, but also there are people whom you can only go as far as pray. This should not surprise you. You are human too. These are the places where we may truly grasp the power of prayer. I thank God for these places too, for they remind you that you actually need His hand to give a hand.

Dear wounded healer, beware of a type of pride that comes with this cause. In the the business of “rescuing the perishing” you will be sure to see some completely, positively impacted through your means. This is absolutely phenomenal and it should gladden your heart. Even so, pride may be crouching at your door. In such moments be sure to be happy but conferring all the glory therein to your Enabler. Recognize also that service is duty and not a favour.

Finally, take time also and accept to be ministered unto as well. You can easily be caught in the loop of ministering and forget your own wounds. There is no glory in that. You also need a doctor. Let your friends also acknowledge and be made known of the fact that you are also not all well. Sometimes they simply don’t know. Don’t crucify them for that. Tell them and if they are willing, let them help you. More than that, the major and sometimes the only help you can get is the Balm of Gilead. Yes, I’m talking about Christ. I’m not saying this to make Him your last, go-to resort. No. In fact, He should be your first. He is the Great Physician and He will also reveal to you how you can find healing.

God bless you, wounded healer. Be sure, your recompense is great in heaven and even more, you are not alone.