Turning Wounds Into Wisdom
Turn your wounds into wisdom. ~ Oprah
On the surface, most would agree this seems to be good counsel.
Emotions and Feelings Interfere
Unfortunately, our wounds are more likely to produce feelings and emotions instead of wisdom. Wisdom isn’t the product of emotion, though acting on our emotions often brings us an opportunity to gain wisdom.
Most of the emotions we experience after being hurt arise from lies we believe why we were wounded.
I deserved to be hurt because I’m not . . . smart enough, kind enough, pretty enough, good enough. The list goes on.
But God’s Word tells us we are created in His image (see Genesis 1:27). Through His Word we know we are His masterpiece (see Ephesians 2:10).
Turning Wounds Into Wisdom
The first step in turning our wounds into wisdom is by rejecting the lies and standing on God’s Word as the ultimate source of truth. When we’ve swept our hearts clean from thought distorting emotions, wisdom enter in.
When she does, our lives take on the unshakeable peace of true wisdom.
One of the products of wisdom is prudence. What does prudence look like in our lives?
Prudence Enters
Prudence gives us the ability to make decisions based on reason instead of emotion. The culture we live in has become fertile soil for basing our decisions and actions on feelings—often the louder, the better. Has anyone tried to change your mind by yelling at you? Did it work? I doubt it. Yet volatile emotions have become a common place occurrence in places where reason should reside.
Prudence gives us the ability to respond with reason and logic. Or in some cases, it guides us to not respond at all. That, too, is wisdom.
Wisdom helps us navigate through difficult situations. It gives us the prudence to recognize and steer clear of dangerous situations and gives us guidance in our relationships.
Ultimately What Heals
Regarding the quote above, I think it might be more accurately said that our wounds can be used as fertile soil for growing our wisdom, but ultimately it will be wisdom that heals our wounds.
Questions for Reflection:
1. Recall a painful experience that has left you physically, emotionally, or spiritually wounded. What emotions rise to the surface at the memory?
2. In what ways do these emotions keep you from healing?
3. What lies have you believed because of this? Meditate on Genesis 1:27 and Ephesians 2:10, then take a moment to journal about what God is saying through Scripture. How does the wisdom of God change how you see your wounds?
