A note from the “Jokes About my Heart Surgery” Department:
A mechanic was removing a cylinder head from the motor of a car when he spotted a well-known cardiologist in his shop. As the cardiologist was waiting for the service manager, the mechanic shouted across the garage “Hey Doc, come take a look at this!” The cardiologist, a bit surprised, walked over to where the mechanic was working.
The mechanic straightened up, wiped his hands on a rag and asked, “So Doc, look at this engine. I opened its heart, took the valves out, repaired or replaced everything that was damaged, and then put everything back in, and when I was finished, it worked just like new. So, how is it that I make $48,000 a year and you make $1.7 million, when you and I are doing basically the same work?” The cardiologist paused thoughtfully, then leaned over and whispered to the mechanic, “Try doing it with the engine running”.
This is a good joke with a great punch line. It’s great because it points to our general expectation that we should be able to get broken things repaired, and that we should know where to go to make this happen. But, in life, not all damage or repairs are so easily defined.
Consider the wounded soul.
Soul wounds are real. They are the result of our mind, our will, or our emotions being so brutally jolted that a wound is made, leaving a gash that must be dealt with. The death of a loved one, family strife, a wayward child, addictions, accidents, a broken promise, a stab in the back — the list can go on and on. There are so many things that can hit us out of nowhere, leaving us spinning, while others gradually sneak-up on us until we find ourselves drained and confused.
Regardless of how it happens, when one’s soul is injured, the pain is not a figment of our imagination. We may not even know the origin of the injury, much less know how to “fix” it.
Our responses to a soul injury vary – some of us try to cover up our hurt so we won’t look weak in the sight of others. Or, we ignore our hurt by getting busier or trying to “man up” and “just get over it.” We may allow our hurt to drive us into isolation or choose to try to run away from the pain. Each of these options are futile efforts that only place distance between the injured soul and the one with the remedy.
A soul injury requires soul healing, and there is no earthly repair shop to go to.
While any one of us may find ourselves walking through the valley of a wounded soul, we’re never walking alone. When your faith is in Christ, you can be assured God is working on your behalf. He knows your pain and He will bear it with you, if you let him.
Remember, whether your pain is caused by losing someone you love or some other deep sorrow, reach out to your Lord. Cry to Him; cry with Him. Allow your Creator to comfort you and to whisper healing love into your soul.
There is no other One who loves you like He does or who can heal you like He can. There is no other pain like soul pain. Your soul pain is important to God, and He alone has the power to heal the hurt in your soul. Remember that your God is the One who says,
“You are Mine,”
“You are precious in My sight,”
“You are honored,” and
“I love you” (Isaiah 43:1-4)
When you find yourself in the valley of the wounded soul, don’t camp there. Reach out and grab on to the One who can deliver you safely to the other side with a healed soul.
“Truly, truly, I say to you, you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice. You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn into joy.” John 16:20 ESV
Written by Rich Silveira
Retired NCA Teacher