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We’re all walking wounded.

The words we use and the words we absorb can build bridges that empower us to reach unimaginable heights or wound us to the deepest fathoms of our souls. Woundedness can perpetuate.

Too often, I have reacted from a perceived injustice and passed along negativity. At other times, I became irritable or passive-aggressively slung dishes into the dishwasher as if a Greek wedding were about to commence. Perhaps while brooding, I simply made eye contact and inadvertently perpetuated negativity.

But we don’t have to guilt ourselves. We all have bad days. Putting on a cloak of humility, admitting our wrongs, and asking for forgiveness all provide valuable lessons.

But what if we could shield ourselves from internalizing wounds in the first place? If we stop copying the behavior and customs of this world and allow ourselves to be transformed by changing the way we think?

We’re created differently, but in diversity lies the propensity to misunderstand each other. Often, we don’t know what the person who caused us pain is going through, or if they even realize they caused the pain. Maybe they’re being abused, are prone to negativity, or are subject to generational destructive patterns. Maybe they just had a bad day. The snapshot we get of a person isn’t likely a true representation of who they are or how they feel about us.

Granted, wounded people can teach us powerful and positive things. God brings healing, deliverance, hope, and answered and unanswered prayers. He has better plans than what we pray for in our lack of omniscience.

But perhaps we need to unlearn the negative things we learned from wounded people. To release perceived injustices so we can grow and live well. To rid ourselves of the soul clutter and make room to live for an audience of One, who speaks truth into our soul.

I’ve learned not to linger in pain longer than necessary so healing can begin. Not to wallow in the should’ve mindset. To step out of the muck onto solid ground where I can take steps in a positive direction.

If you are hurting or just feel stuck, give yourself permission to release that which is negative and holds you back from being the masterpiece God created you to be. Be transformed by changing the way you think.

(Photo courtesy of pixabay.)

(For more devotions, visit Christian Devotions.)