Ministering to Wounded Hearts

There is an instinct within animals to protect themselves if they are hurt. So if a dog were to get cut or be wounded, it would growl and snap at anyone who would try and touch that hurting spot. I’ve seen the most loyal, loving pets growl and snap at their owners when they are in a lot of pain. The pain can cause the animal to forget the love around it and only focus on protecting the wounded spot. Humans are actually built in a similar way, only our instinct to protect ourselves is found more with emotional trauma rather than physical trauma. When a person’s mind is overwhelmed with heavy emotions such as fear, anger, sadness, or despair, the mind tends to shift from thinking soundly to rather thinking in emergency mode, only concerned for oneself. This can cause us to snap at the people who love us the most, people we would never snap at if we were in our right mind.

Over the many years of serving the orphans of Korea I’ve sown into so many kids, giving them as consistent and genuine love as possible. And while many of them have indeed improved, their deep wounds still aren’t completely healed. And because those wounds still exist, the responses and actions of the kids can vary. Kids that usually smile and run to hug me when they see me will at other times (not often, thankfully) curse in front of me and refuse to respond. Some of the kids I teach are well mannered and sweet most of the time, but will suddenly have an anger outburst or a shutdown. Sometimes I can identify and prevent these things from happening if I notice the kid has had a tough day, has been made fun of, or is really struggling with something. But other times I can’t identify or prevent anything because I don’t know the full story of what is going on.

Ministering to wounded hearts requires confidence, perseverance and a mindset that we are not in the same place as the person we are caring for. A doctor cannot be shaken by the patient’s response. The doctor just needs to keep focused and finish the job. In the same way, caring for wounded hearts requires inner confidence (not being shaken by their responses), perseverance, and a knowledge that we have love to give that the wounded person truly needs.

I’ve personally had many discouraging days with the children. Kids that I had built strong relationships with have suddenly turned on me at different times, sometimes just momentarily and sometimes for months and even years. I’ve learned I can’t be shaken by their actions. Anytime a doctor or surgeon loses a patient there will be duress and discouragement, but if the doctor lets those heavy feelings in too deep then he won’t be able to help anyone anymore. The doctor has to persevere, remaining confident and knowing that sick people need his help. And thankfully there are many who have indeed been healed and ministered to.

Even Jesus lost one of his twelve disciples and for a time lost all the other eleven when they abandoned him in the garden. Thankfully He didn’t give up on them, or give up on us. It’s by His grace we are accepted. And it’s by His grace we are able to minister to others without ever giving up.  In the end it is worth every struggle, every sacrifice, and every discouragement, even for those who don’t make it. Tis better to have loved and lost than to have never loved at all!