Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he told his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”
Matthew 9:35‭-‬38 NIV
https://bible.com/bible/111/mat.9.35-38.NIV

Wounded Warriors

Yesterday, I felt discouraged about someone who built a wall around himself; like me, many Christians carry the burden of regret, like ankle bracelets. We are so ashamed of what we should’ve, could’ve, and would’ve done we isolate; the harvest is great, but the workers are few.
My heart ached for him, and the Holy Spirit said, “Some barriers are hard to break.” I said, Lord, I don’t know how to break down these barriers; please show me.”
It wasn’t even a minute later; the Holy Spirit reminded me of friends who didn’t give up on me and friends I almost gave up on but now are my best friends. When I was around them, I talked and talked and talked about God’s mercy and grace, and they wouldn’t say a word. Finally, when about quit on them because I assumed they thought I was a freak, Jesus said, “It’s not about You.” I laughed out loud and said, Lord, You have a sense of humor!”

I realized then when we hide behind the veil of regret and shame; we deny Jesus from showing His compassion to unbelievers. Although we repent for our past sins, guilt keeps us from receiving forgiveness because we can’t forgive ourselves. Regret is not from God, and the Shame the devil uses against us isolates us with invisible barriers, thus keeping us from sharing the Love of God with a hurting world; there are few workers for the harvest. I and many others who have lost loved ones can’t mentally go back and change what we could have done, what we should have done, and what we would have done if we had known what we now know. I paraphrase these words from my son’s father, RGG., who had coached me in a few areas, although he also grieved our son’s death.

Furthermore, one day, I posted a picture of my son and me on Facebook and said, this is the last picture of us before he died; the grief was unbearable. However, a dear friend, C.B., wrote, “He is your future.”

Wounded Healers

As wounded healers, we can break barriers with the same love and compassion Christ shows us, even when we fail Him. So if you are about to give up on someone because you can’t break down their barriers, remember, ‘It’s not about You; it’s about Jesus, and remember Jesus saw that many were hurting; He had compassion. Compassion breaks down barriers. He never gives up on us. Praise the Lord!