He allows difficult situations in order to build faith in his people; but there’s more that he wants to do in and through us. He wants us to feel what he feels. – Victory Family Center (VFC)

We are all walking wounded, carrying soul wounds and hurts buried deep within. Some wounds are fresh, while others have lingered for years—hidden behind smiles, busyness, work, and the walls we build to keep the pain at bay. But no matter how well we conceal them, they shape how we see ourselves, how we trust, how we love, and how we navigate the world.

“Have you ever had your heart broken? Hurt by people close to you? Wounded by your own family? Have you ever been let down by a boss? Lied to? Rejected because you’re a (fill in the blank).  Yes, we can get hurt. But the Lord is the God of all mercies who uses the bruises of life and the heartbreaks so that we can have compassion on others, so we can feel what God feels for them, so we can come alongside them and tell them, “I know you’re crying, and I know it hurts, but don’t give up. Don’t run away, because God can help you in a way that no friend or family member can!” – VFC

I have been wounded.  My wounds came from abandonment, betrayal, rejection, and more.  And there was a time that I didn’t feel that life was worth living or that it was worth being the God-fearing person that I am.  But, the fear of being any other was too great for me to let go off of God. I held on to Him and gradually the wounds began to heal,

Maybe your wound also come from betrayal, abandonment, or loss, or words spoken over you that cut deep.  Perhaps you’ve carried rejection for so long that it feels like a part of you, or you’ve been hurt so many times that you’ve learned to expect disappointment.  

You are not alone. We all have scars, some visible, some unseen, but all significant.

Yet, wounds were never meant to be permanent. Pain is real, but so is healing. And it’s time to be healed.

Praying for Healing for a New Friend

I met a young woman; aged 29.  She was so kind and full of energy that I couldn’t help myself from asking her:  

Me:  “it’s a beautiful day, isn’t?  What’s up with you, young lady?”  

She:  I just left work and on to another.  But, I’m happy because my boss treats me like a daughter.

Me: That’s nice.  Lucky you.  

She went on to tell me that she relocated from Chicago to work in California because the pay was better and that she was glad to be away from her Mom.  That shocked me.  How could that be?  Well, it happened that her Mom left her at the age of 4 to migrate to USA and never looked back.  Her Mom called a few times, but every time she asked for money, she was refused and given excuses.  Her Mom remarried and has four children.  This young lady felt her siblings/new family were her Mom’s priority.  Anyhow, now as an adult, she also migrates to America.  Her Mom filed for her.  She lived with her, but felt treated like a child and that didn’t go well with her … I tried to talk to her from a parent’s perspective.  She will not bulge.

I then said:  I feel your pain; your hurt, and the bag you’re carrying is heavy.  Today, I want you to lay it all down.  Today, you need to forgive your Mom and release her from your heart.  

Forgiveness is drinking poison and hoping that the other person dies!

– Joyce Meyer

As the words flew out of my mouth, this lady started sobbing uncontrollably.

“I try, but it’s hard.”

Me:  don’t try.  Just do it (Nike!). It does not mean that your Mom is right.  You are doing it for yourself.   

My encounter with this young woman prompted this post.   Shortly after, I encountered couple more similar incidents.

I’ve been there.   It’s easier said than done. I forgave a particular person over and over, and yet I didn’t really forgave that person. I forgave only because people told me to.  But, the real forgiveness happened from my heartfelt acknowledgement of the pain that was caused and felt and when I willingly released that person with the pain.  It was cathartic. Once this happened, it caused so much emotion that it miraculously turned me to pray for the person’s salvation and deliverance.

Healing is a Journey

Healing doesn’t mean pretending the hurt never happened. It means confronting it with honesty and grace. It means giving yourself permission to feel, to grieve, to acknowledge the weight of what you’ve been through—but not to stay there. Healing is a journey, one that requires courage to open the wounds, tend to them, and allow them to mend properly.

Some wounds heal through time, reflection, and self-compassion. Others require deeper work—prayer, therapy, forgiveness (even when it feels impossible), or simply allowing yourself to receive the love and support you may have once rejected.

God is the ultimate healer of soul wounds. He sees what you carry, the things you never say out loud, the tears you cry in secret. And He doesn’t just see—He cares. He invites you to bring your wounds to Him, to let Him restore what has been broken.

It’s Time To Be Healed

It’s time to be healed. Not because what happened to you didn’t matter, but because you matter. You deserve to live free, whole, and unburdened.

Give yourself permission to begin the journey. One step at a time. One layer at a time. It’s like an onion.  Some healing takes time, but healing is possible. And so much beauty awaits on the other side.

Releasing deep wounds and those responsible for them is a journey, but it’s one worth taking.

Ten (10) Ways To Release Deep Wounds

Here are some compassionate and practical ways to begin the process:

1. Acknowledge the Hurt Without Minimizing It

Healing begins with honesty. Denying or suppressing pain doesn’t make it disappear—it only buries it deeper. Take time to acknowledge what hurt you, how it affected you, and how it continues to shape your emotions and decisions.

2. Allow Yourself to Feel Without Shame

Many wounded people have been conditioned to believe they shouldn’t feel anger, sadness, or disappointment. But emotions are part of the healing process. Give yourself permission to grieve, cry, or even express frustration in a healthy way.

3. Seek a Safe Space to Process

This could be through journaling, confiding in a trusted friend, joining a support group, or speaking with a counselor or therapist. Sometimes, just putting words to your pain helps lessen its grip on you.

4. Shift Your Perspective on Those Who Hurt You

This does not mean excusing or justifying their actions, but rather recognizing that broken people often break others. Hurt people hurt people. Understanding this can help you detach from the weight of resentment.

5. Choose to Forgive (Even If You Don’t Feel Like It Yet)

Forgiveness is not about saying what happened was okay—it’s about releasing yourself from the burden of carrying it. It’s an intentional choice, sometimes made daily, to no longer let the past dictate your present. If you struggle with this, pray for the strength to forgive. It’s a process, and that’s okay.

6. Let Go of the Need for an Apology or Closure

Many people never receive the apology they deserve. Some who hurt you may never acknowledge it. Waiting for their remorse only prolongs your pain. Choose healing for you, not because they made amends.

7. Release It to God

There are some burdens too heavy to carry alone. God invites you to lay them down: “Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.” (1 Peter 5:7). Pray for His healing touch, His peace, and His strength to let go.

8. Replace the Wound with Something Life-Giving

Healing is not just about removing pain—it’s about filling that space with something beautiful. Invest in your well-being, cultivate positive relationships, pursue personal growth, and surround yourself with love and joy.

9. Set Boundaries to Prevent Rewounding

If someone continuously harms you, it’s okay to distance yourself. Boundaries are a form of self-care and a necessary step in maintaining healing. Love can still exist from a distance when needed.

10. Remember: Healing is a Journey, Not an Event

Some days will feel lighter than others. Be patient with yourself. Celebrate progress, no matter how small. Every step you take toward healing is a step toward freedom.

You are not defined by what hurt you. You are stronger than you know, and full healing is possible. Keep moving forward. One day, you’ll look back and realize the pain no longer has power over you.

Wishing you and anyone reading this healing, peace, and strength on the journey, including my new friend.