Ouch, that hurts

The first step for any emotional healing is to admit that you are hurt. Denial and pride are a vicious combination that stops you from admitting you are hurt or suffering personal pain. 

How many times have you heard people say, “Oh, I’m fine, thank you”? You can tell they are not being truthful, but you can’t make them be real with you because they are probably not real with themselves. That’s called denial. People who are in denial aren’t even aware that they’re messed up. Those who are struggling often have trouble being honest.  

King David did not have this problem. Have you ever read the Psalms? That man was so in touch with his feelings and failures that he wrote songs about them. Check out this psalm: “Have mercy on me, O LORD, for I am weak; O LORD, heal me, for my bones are troubled.” (Psalms 6:2, NKJV) He freely admits to being weak. Do you know how hard that is for a man?

I remember one day when I was a child and fell next to our home. I ran to my dad, covered in blood, and his comforting words still ring in my ears: “Go see your mom.” My dad was a war veteran, and he had little time or emotional equipment to fix my boo-boo. 

That’s how I was raised...how about you? If you are a woman, you’re generally more in touch with your feelings and the feelings of others. You think about emotional issues. Men think about stuff like cars, sports, projects, and hobbies. Ladies, you are so far ahead of us men that it’s ridiculous. Men have to first overcome denial. Women, on the other hand, often experience more abuse and pain...it’s a statistical reality. Whether it’s child sexual abuse or domestic violence, women often get the raw end of the deal. 

Men, it’s time to get out of denial and admit your weaknesses. Women, it’s time to invite the Holy Spirit to heal and empower you from deep within. 

Because you are a miracle.