Perhaps some of the greatest wounds come not from our enemies but from those who were our greatest friends. The friend who stuck closer than a brother later becomes the friend who no longer has your back.

In 2 Timothy 4:6 Paul has to stand alone. "At my first defense, no one came to my support, but everyone deserted me. May it not be held against them."

AW Tozer said "God cannot use a man or woman greatly until he wounds him deeply."

I never thought that some of my deepest wounds would come from the Body of Christ. Yet in retrospect, I had to go through what I had to go through.

It also makes me more self-aware of the pain I have caused others. I was a not totally aware of the depth of pain I could cause. I am sorry at a greater level to those I have hurt. Sometimes it was unintentional and out of ignorance. Other times it was because of misunderstandings and I wasn't aware that perceived hurt is as painful as genuine hurts.

For my lack of compassion, my harshness, and my lack of sensitivity, I am sorry. Please forgive me.

And in the process... May the Spirit of the Living God allow the love of God and the forgiveness in relationships flow in that same body of Christ were often we hurt one another. May the wounds bring a greater strength to the depths of love that flows from us.

And may we all realize that God only raises up the humble of heart. And when we are wounded, it allows for a brokenness that allows the power of God’s grace to flow through freely!

***Written from an actual physical place where I poured out my tears to my friends but still had to stand alone. I am glad I did not compromise my conscious for the comfort of consoling friendships.