Isaiah 1:6 – From the sole of the foot even unto the head [there is] no soundness (wholesomeness) in it; [but] wounds, and bruises (black & blue marks), and putrifying (new) sores: they have not been closed (as the closing up of a wound,) neither bound up (to bind or bandage), neither mollified (to be softened or tendered) with ointment (anointing).

There is something that can happen after painful seasons. They either tender our hearts or harden them. And in various moments, we may see both.

I’m remembering coming out of a tough season. I had been deeply wounded and was in a grief cycle. I didn’t understand that grief had many faces and that in some moments instead of preaching a God message; I was preaching a message through the eyes of pain.

I would also miss what was a message for me versus what was a message for the people.

I began to notice it also in others who were in painful wilderness seasons. They were preaching a personal message to the public. A conversation they wanted and should have been had with an individual became a platform message. The eyes of pain were clouding their hearing and in the process, they drove a wedge between them and any chance of a healthy relationship with the individual.

Have you ever had someone answer a private question from the pulpit? I can assure you if so, there was an instantaneous break in trust. A dishonoring occurred and you never forgot it. That became an unsafe place from that moment on.

This is what can happen if we are not healed. Our pain keeps us from confrontations so we choose a second-best avenue which is a misguided tool disguised as good but is actually harmful to ourselves and others. So our pain bleeds onto others because we do not work through the process of healing.

Often we dare not even feel the pain. We shove it as far down as possible and go about our life and ministry.

Hear me here: If you have pain that has not been dealt with, it will manifest somewhere eventually. It will speak.

Let me ask you, “Why do you do what you do?” There is a reason. Has pain caused you to be unable to speak up for yourself? To offer an honest dialogue about your questions, pain, or beliefs? Is the war you’re fighting the devil? The Lord? Perhaps- it’s your pain having its way with you.

Have you ever heard the saying, “A wounded dog bites?” It is so true! It is just the same with people. Fear will cause a bite or bark. Hidden pain will often do the same.

If I had not let the Lord Jesus dig deep into my pain layer by layer my anger at being hurt would lace messages that would not be an arrow for an intended mark. I would actually miss the mark altogether.

In the painful seasons are treasured lessons I needed to learn so I could help people who would later be assigned to me.

I needed to learn boundaries first of all. Strong boundaries with no guilt. I needed to learn there is never dishonor in the truth (despite the silence the church often fosters today). I needed to learn that it was okay to call it what it is and I didn’t have to be afraid to say it or avoid a confrontation. It actually has become one of my strongest gifts although I still admit it is never easy. The “seeing” part comes naturally. The “saying” part not so much.

If your pain leads you, several things will happen. You’ll take up a self-made crusade, shy away from people altogether, remain silent, and become a lone ranger, or you’ll use every platform to settle a personal vendetta.

None are good.

Walking in freedom is the heart of Christ for you and me. Healed and whole.

It’s interesting to me the truth that shines as we dig into the deeper meaning in Isaiah 1:6. Often, we still carry black and blue marks and add new sores because of no attention to our need for healing. The wound is still open and seeping without the proper bandage. I think the worst part is the possibility that the wound would not soften or tender with sweet anointing. So many hang on to bitterness and it becomes the cross they carry and the message they preach.

Get your healing fully. Then watch at how secure in Christ you really will become. The pain once healed becomes an awesome tool for others who are also hurting.

Your time of weakness becomes God’s greatest strength in you.

A strength that Christ then uses to set the other captives free.

Captives that looked just like we once looked, except now, pain speaks a gentle refrain that offers healing oil to all it touches.