It is probably fair to say that everyone carries some sort of internal wound or scar. For the most part, like old physical injuries, they do little to hinder us. Not all are so free however. There are some people who carry deep wounds that are the products of offence and unforgiveness. Psychologists and councilors have identified some classic behavior patterns, which may help identify wounded individuals.

Preoccupation With The Past

A general rule seems to apply here. Have you ever noticed adults who at times behave like 10 year olds? Do a little digging and you may well find that around the age of 10 this one suffered an emotional crisis that branded or wounded him. Their emotional and spiritual growth was stunted at that time. They return there when the pressure comes. We often consider them to be immature or childish.

Negative Mind Set

There are few genuine optimists with wounded spirits. Think again of the natural. There are few athletes with physical wounds. The negative mindset of the wounded always sees things whether good bad or neutral in intent as having a negative impact on them.

Feeling the Victim

You can’t help this one. No really, you can’t. Even the good stuff you do will be misinterpreted as something evil. He likes it when you see that he feels like he is being victimized. He lives on Misery Street in the city of Whyamihated in the country of Victimstan. He wears his citizenship certificate around his neck for all to see!

Blaming Others

A wound of the spirit, once established, creates a sense of negativity and self-righteousness that stretches its icy grip to those nearby. “I am a victim” he reasons, “Nothing good ever comes my way, people always try to hurt me” he concludes. The wounded cannot easily take responsibility for, in his reckoning, he has always been badly treated.

Associates With Other Wounded Individuals

As we shall see later a person with a wounded spirit connects with other wounded. I believe the force that draws two wounded spirits together is as strong as the force that repels a wounded from a healthy person. In a church situation you can see it coming. You have clearly identified Bill who has a wounded spirit in the congregation. As he grows in Christ and in commitment to others he gradually begins to experience healing. Then along comes wounded Jack. You can’t send Jack away but you really don’t want him to discover Bill until you can get your head around Jacks’ problems. Like magnets the two men are drawn into a friendship that may be mutually damaging.

Wounded Mannerisms

The spiritually wounded often display their damaged inner man with sighs and groans. It can affect their posture and their diet. They regularly generate dark brooding looks. Make no mistake about it, they are wounded and they have pain.

Is There A Master Key?

While there are many things that cause pain at a spiritual level I propose that one factor more than any other lies at the core of this malady.

Never Underestimate The Power Of Offence!

Offence is taken not given. Jerry may insult, demean or intimidate Kevin continually but only Kevin can take offence. How could Jesus have prayed “Lord forgive them for they know not what they do” if he had taken offence? Scripture is clear that He was not helpless at the cross as He could have called a legion of angels. The point is that He chose to humble Himself and not reply with strength.

In contrast the offence taken by Absalom was so deep and profound it took him to dark depravity. David was attracted to the mother of Absalom’s replacement while she bathed on her rooftop in the king’s view. The young and desperate Absalom, who would be King, mounted his final challenge to David by having sex with Davids’ women on a rooftop. The depths of his wound led him to behavior that would finish him. (2 Samuel 16)

By observing the story of Absalom we see the wounded spirit in action. Absalom had a genuine problem with David. He let anger mature in his heart until it became a festering wound. This root of bitterness had grown up and would defile many, in this case an entire nation. A person with a badly wounded spirit will, out of confusion, attach himself to the first friend who comes along. Usually another wounded spirit! In this case Ahithofel the bitter grandfather of Bathsheba becomes friends with Absalom. Notice how misery loves company. Notice as well that it was Ahithofel who counseled Absalom to sin against David in the same manner that David sinned against Bathseba and Uriah.

Offence is a sin you commit against yourself.

The Wounded Preterist?

In 2003 I had a wonderful telephone conversation with John Noe. We talked about the emerging Preterist movement and its many personalities. He said that there are people in Preterist circles who are here because they are rebels. John was right. Many rebels end up with wounded spirits and many people with wounded spirits become rebels. This adds to the flavor of our movement. It also adds to the tension.

The kind of people God uses to bring change are those with strength of purpose and intensity. They are usually the kind of people who do not scare easily. They are natural contenders because only contenders are able to change the status quo.

On A Raft On A Sunny Sunday

Imagine you are on a raft with some friends lazily drifting downstream towards your picnic destination. The current is strong and you are zipping along smoothly. For your party it’s a one-way trip. You won’t paddle back because you’ll take the bus! Gazing into your future you see a small ill equipped raft coming towards you. On it is a single guy furiously paddling upstream. He is tired and joyless. All his effort is tuned against the current. You discover that he is not paddling away from a disaster. He really has nowhere to head. He is paddling upstream because no one else is.

That’s the guy God calls to the cut new ground. Behold your Preterist Family :)

More Later …