By Annette Stanwick –

Everywhere we look we see hurting people. We only have to turn on the TV or read the headlines to see the evidence of woundedness. If we look close, we’ll see signs of pain and hurt in our communities, our neighborhoods, our schools, our churches, our own homes and even in our own hearts. None of us are immune to being hurt, and none of us are immune to hurting others!

Hurtful things happen intentionally and unintentionally, knowingly and unknowingly. Painful experiences can really throw us off balance, creating a cavern of pain. Unless we find a way to heal from those hurts, we can carry the wounds for a very long time, even for the rest of our lives. It is a known fact that hurting people hurt others, and the cycle of woundedness continues; person-to-person and generation-to-generation.

Our wounds, affect the way we think, behave and feel, and the harm of hurtful situations tarnishes our relationships, our abilities, our attitudes, our view of others and even our success in life.

The need for healing is evidenced in the way we deal with hurtful situations. Some may be able to discuss the matter and put it to rest, letting it disintegrate and disappear. For others, it may not be so easy; their hurts and wounds may be stored away as a seed that germinates and grows somewhere deep inside. That seed is then carried everywhere and as it insidiously continues to grow, it affects other relationships and other areas of our lives.

If we are unable to deal with a painful situation, this ineffective method can become a life long pattern of stuffing and storing up negative feelings that eventually harm our emotional health, our physical well-being and our effectiveness as individuals.

When we identify, touch and express stored up negative feelings, we acknowledge their existence. Admitting that those feelings exist is a powerful step in the healing process. Hiding or ignoring them on the other hand only causes them to continue to grow internally.

Are you harboring some painful memories, some hurtful situation(s) or negative emotion(s) that continue to cause pain, agitation, anger or fear? If you answered yes, you are not alone. The most important thing you can do is acknowledge that those hurtful feelings exist. Stuffing them, hoping that time will erase them doesn’t work! Sooner or later something will happen that reopens the wound, and then you’ll feel that pain all over again.

What can you do to heal those wounds? Admit you’ve been hurt! Pray for wisdom and courage to take responsibility for moving beyond the painful situation. Read a book, journal or seek counseling. Don’t just stew in the pain. It may be scary to reopen the wound, but I can assure you that if you can face the issue, feel the pain, make positive choices and then let go of the past (that you can’t change anyway), YOU CAN HEAL!

Annette Stanwick is a speaker, award-winning author and Freedom Facilitator. Her blog will be posted every 2^nd and 4^th Thursday of the month. Visit www.annettestanwick.com

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