So, what exactly is the soul? It is your mind, will, and emotions, the source of your thoughts, decisions, and feelings. Soul wounds can be described as past emotional injuries that manifest as pain-based identities. We take painful experiences and begin to define ourselves by the themes, seeing ourselves as victims, broken, or shameful. We are constrained to small worlds, constrained dreams, and unsatisfying relationships by these soul-wound stories. A soul wound can result from a single, destructive event or a slow accumulation of minor hurts. The same kinds of soul wounds can be seen after a rape experience as they are after a string of unimportant rejections from friends, family, or the community. As previously stated, negative experiences or participation in negative events in your life leave imprints on your soul. For example, if a parent abandoned you as a child due to divorce, abandonment, or death, the pain you felt as a child may remain in your mind as a “wound.”
Other people’s actions can be hurtful at times. And, like everyone else, we make mistakes. Our sins can inflict wounds on us. Furthermore, there may be recurring, harmful behaviors from our families. One example is alcoholism. Those generational behaviors are hurtful. Each of these things, taken together, can leave a mark or cause damage to your soul. Imagine being a child and being constantly made to feel inferior and lacking. Carrying this wound of criticism as an adult makes it difficult to think well of yourself. Compliments and praise can be difficult to accept. Furthermore, celebrating the accomplishments of others is difficult. “Everyone is doing better than me” thoughts can eat away at peace – even if they are lies.
Soul wounds exist. They are the result of our mind, will, or emotions being jolted so violently that a wound is created on the soul, leaving a scar that must be addressed. Each soul wound I’ve experienced in my life has pushed me over the edge into hopelessness. Things that can strike us out of nowhere and leave us spinning include the death of a loved one, family conflict, a rebellious child, addictions, accidents, a stab in the back, and the list could go on forever. That explains why King David in the Psalms is so likable. Although we refer to his writings as the Book of Songs (Psalms), it is clear from reading them that we are reading David’s Journal.
The word soul appears 341 times in the New King James Bible, with 100 of those appearing only in the Book of Psalms. David was aware of soul wounds. He said, “For my soul is full of troubles, and my life draws near to the grave. I am counted with those who go down to the pit; I am like a man who has no strength.” When you are struggling with thoughts and emotions, your adversary will “feed the fire” by whispering lies, exaggerating those moods, and then bringing shame as a result of them.
King David, however, is also the person who prayed, “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul…” The truth is that unless something had damaged our soul, it would not need to be restored. King David discovered this lovely realm of healing. “O Lord, You brought my soul up from the grave; You have kept me alive, that I should not go down to the pit.”
For decades, I felt as if my life was under attack, with no way out. The tears refused to stop falling. Anger and frustration rose to the surface. Every day, the temptation to find fault in someone knocked on my heart’s door. But, thankfully, after receiving Godly counsel on numerous occasions, God’s Word rose like a rescue boat over a raging wave of grief. Through God’s written word and His love, I found soul healing. God reminded me that I was fighting against demonic influences rather than flesh and blood.
Jesus promised to send us the Holy Spirit as a comforter and counselor, and it was through God’s precious Spirit that I found the comfort and guidance I required. But, in the end, I discovered that soul healing takes time, tears, and truth. But whose truth will you receive? I pray that you will make God your home. If we only come to Him when we are in pain, our souls will be wounded, if not scarred. Regularly, go to God. He is the lover and healer of your soul.