Summary of the Wounds that Heal – Stephen Seamands
The book starts by showing how humanity suffers from being exploited and being hurt. Marriages are broken and children are abused. In addition, people seem to face all kinds of tragedies while those whom they love also pass through the same turmoil. As such, it is normal for human beings to experience different wounds while they are alive. However, as stipulated in the book, human beings are never alone their suffering. Despite our different types of injuries such as emotional, physical and psychological wounds, God never left behind his beloved people. In fact, God is not aloof and as distant as most people believe when passing through trying periods but is always present to intervene and bring redemption and healing to his people.
The book is made up of two parts. The first part, the cross and the damaging effect of human hurts, explores different aspects of being hurt. The chapter explores issues such as being despised and rejected, disregarding shame, and the deliverance for the bound. This chapter uses bible verses to show that God understands the feeling of being hurt and that through Jesus Christ, God has already passed through similar experiences and hence understands us when we are hurt. The second part, the cross and the path to healing, expostulates on embracing the pain, forgiveness, loving our enemies, and embracing our radiant scars, as well as dealing with disappointment and walking through the pain. The examples encompassed in the book include stories such as personal experiences of people whose families were killed during the Jewish holocaust or during other massacres that took place in the history of mankind. In every chapter, human suffering is related to the suffering of Jesus Christ. However, behind the suffering of Jesus Christ is God who suffered through every aspect of suffering that Jesus went through (Seamands, 2003). The chapters also come with challenges such as questions which a reader goes through to help with personal reflection. Such questions are applicable to different circumstances and hence should be taken with an open mind.
The book entails a sound biblical exposition which is balanced with sensitive pastoral care in its exploration of the crucial meaning of the crucifixion of Jesus for humanity’s redemption and healing (Seamands, 2003). The book effectively shows that since Jesus experienced rejection, abuse, and shame, he understands the circumstances humans go through no matter its dimension. As such, since Jesus experienced the worst known humiliation and hurt during his time on earth, it is a hope for humanity that seeks forgiveness and a new life. As such, different chapters encompass different experiences and different bible verses on how to handle them. Through reading the book, the reader attains the essence of when to apply some verses in different life experiences for personal benefits or to soothe another person who might be undergoing a hard time or healing after passing through a hard time (Seamands, 2003). With the various testimonies which encompass different time dispensations, the book is an uplifter for a person who feels downtrodden and who seeks to turn a new page in his/her life. Ultimately, the book offers the message that not only does God understand our pain and suffering but he has already done something to restore us. As such, the wounds of Jesus Christ heal our wounds (Wattoff, 2015).
References
Seamands, S. (2003). Wounds that heal: Bringing our hurts to the cross. Westmont, IL: Intervarsity Press. ISBN: 978-0830832255.
Wattoff, G. (2015). An evaluation of the Sozo inner healing model in the context of a local church (Doctoral dissertation, United Theological Seminary). https://search.proquest.com/openview/58f3850bc9321891dce1fb5bc1c83f28/1?pq-origsite=gscholar&cbl=18750&diss=y