“I see you. I feel you…”

Pain, to me, is like being shot or injured. In the heat of the moment, you feel nothing. In the present moment, with the adrenalin coursing through every vein in your body, it hasn’t hit you yet. But when the adrenalin has run its course, and you slowly come back to reality, that is when it finally hits you. That’s when the realization eventually creeps in, and then there’s this sudden sense of awareness. I’ve been hurt. I’ve been hurt badly.

In this moment of realization, we do and say things that we don’t really mean. We stir up conflict; we engage in the conflict. We welcome the conflict. Why? The only answer to that is the cliche saying, “Hurt people hurt people.”

Hurt people do and say things that will protect them. There are a plethora of defense mechanisms that they use. Whether they pick a fight or throw harsh words your way, they’re really crying out on the inside.

I know someone whose words will cut you in a way you didn’t even know was possible. Insult after insult hurled your way, and there’s no way to dodge it. You will get burned. She wants you to get hurt. After speaking with her, I came to the conclusion that this woman has been seriously hurt. Hurt in ways you can’t even imagine means you couldn’t even fathom.

So this post is for the hurt people out there. The ones too afraid to speak up because talking about trauma just hurts too much. The ones who feel like they don’t have a voice. Those who feel like no one could ever understand you and what you go through.

I see you.

I feel you.

I understand you.

I’ve been there.

Psalm 34: 18 ( one of my personal favorites) says, “I am CLOSE to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” These are easily the most comforting words that could ever be put in a sentence. Reassurance that God is close to me and that what I am going through doesn’t go unnoticed.

Make the decision to draw closer to God as he draws closer to you.

-T