LET’S RECOVER TOGETHER!

OCCASIONAL NOTES ON HUMAN HEALING

          One of the promises in the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous is, “No matter how far down the scale we have gone, we will see how our experience can benefit others.”

          Any alcoholic/addict can easily relate to descending the scale of life. Our addictions created what we call an “incomprehensible demoralization.” We did things we are not proud of. We treated people in ways we would never want to be treated. We lied, we stole, gave reign to anger and abuse. We descended into darkness, despair, and often a desire to end it all.

          As our recovery began and blossomed, we found out exactly how every one of these experiences could help us relate to others suffering the same disease. Opening our wounds as sources of healing, we found our own spirits growing stronger.

          The same principle applies to all of us, not just addicts. If we work through our trials without avoidance, we grow wiser, more fully human. We are then equipped to minister to others in general, and specifically those whose trials mirror our own.

          What have you endured?

          A dysfunctional family? Physical or sexual abuse? Estrangement from your children? Divorce? Adultery? Addiction to pornography? The crippling effects of religious fundamentalism? Sexual identity questions? Betrayal by a good friend? Rejection? Depression? Suicide attempts? Cancer or some other disease? The loss of a job or financial bankruptcy? Homelessness? The death of a dream? The death of a close loved one? An unwanted pregnancy? Abortion?

          Every one of these realities (and more)—IF YOU HAVE WORKED THROUGH THEM AND FOUND SOME HEALING—can be used to serve others in love. And since service is one of our highest callings as human beings, I encourage you to do so with grit and intentionality. Our wounds are deep sources of strength! But they can only magnify God’s love if we stop hiding. The late Henri Nouwen, pastor to so many through his marvelous writings, said this in his seminal book The Wounded Healer.

          “Nobody escapes being wounded. We all are wounded people, whether physically, emotionally, mentally, or spiritually. The main question is not, ‘How can we hide our wounds?’ so we don’t have to be embarrassed, but, ‘How can we put our woundedness into the service of others?’ When our wounds cease to be a source of shame, and become a source of healing, we have become wounded healers.”

          I have a prayer for all of us today, no matter our spiritual path. Let us learn to put our woundedness into the service of others. Let us remember that every saint has a past, every sinner a future. Let us celebrate not our self-sufficiency, but our dependency upon God and each other. Let us remember what Jesus said to Paul as he pleaded for relief from a chronic malady, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Corinthians 12:9)

          My love to all of you! Let’s recover together!