Everyone has a story. Lots of stories, really. Funny stories. Sad stories. Bragging stories. Scary stories, romantic stories, triumphant stories, embarrassing moment stories, etc. These are the type of real life stories we enjoy sharing with others. Things people can relate to.
Then there are stories on a little deeper level, like a personal testimony of one's faith and how a person comes to a turning point in their life where they accept that faith as a real and personal thing. Or person. As for me, that would be the story of my relationship with Jesus Christ. I've shared that story a bunch of times, both formally and informally.
Then there are those stories which run a bit deeper. The stories of deep hurts that we try to hide most of our lives. Sometimes they are too painful to deal with, so we repress them, but they are still there. Simmering, festering wounds inside our souls that, left untreated, may manifest themselves physically into all kinds of stress-related symptoms and emotional, relational problems. At times they might peek out and be touched by the light, to begin some healing, but then, as often happens, the Enemy comes along with distractions or other hurts that pushes these initial hurts back down, further and further again. An ugly mess.
So what does a person do? They need to get these stories out. But not just to anyone. Like the Bible verse about not casting your pearls before swine, you don't dig out your most delicate stories of vulnerability and hurt and shame and throw them out before a bunch of pigs. ok that was harsh. But meaning, not before people who do not have the emotional depth, background, or sensitivity to be able to receive those stories and respond with real empathy and love. Many people have good intentions, but either they haven't walked that road or one similar to it themselves, or they have their own emotional roadblocks and repressed hurts that they've lost their sensitivity, so they just don't get it.
Sometimes there are trusted, wonderful friends who know you well, love you with all your warts, and are tough enough to hear you out, all of it, and can give you the hard truth in a loving way that you can accept. They can provide good insights to help you grow and begin healing of the wounds.
But sometimes these people are absent or too far away to be of any help. Friendships may fade over time, people move in and out of our lives. And even these great friends may not have all the knowledge and experience to reach you at your deepest hurt, especially where things have gotten so twisted and complicated that a person doesn't even understand their own behaviors and how they turned out the way they did. That's where professional help may be needed. Nothing creepy or weird about that, just someone trained in being handed the twisted mess of people's lives and being able to carefully open up the knots and help that person live again. To be themselves again.
So then what happens to those stories? They are not forgotten. Their scars remain, but now instead of just being a painful reminder of the past, they are carving out a greater depth in that person's heart, if treated properly, and can be used in a beautiful way in other people's lives. That deeper capacity to love and understand can help others with similar hurts. Sometimes the person might even be inspired to enter a vocation of counseling themselves. This is another light at the end of my tunnel. That once I get through this darkness, I will be able to help others like me. We'll see. First I have to keep tunneling through...
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