Collateral Damage-Encouragement for Today

Encouragement for Today

Collateral Damage Suzie Eller

"He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds." Psalm 147:3 (ESV)

My house has a crack. Just over the doorframe, creeping to the ceiling. It catches my eye every time I sit on my couch in my living rom. My house isn't that old, so when I asked how this happened, the answer was, "collateral damage."

Collateral damage is defined as damage to things that are incidental to the intended target. Who knew that the sunny rays outside could fracture the wall of my nicely air conditioned home? But it happened.

Last year we had one of the hottest summers on record and the parched ground around the foundation strained the frame, which put pressure on the walls, and eventually a crack appeared.

Collateral damage can also take place within our family when we've been hurt by something or someone else, no matter how long ago.

Because a parent made you feel unworthy of love, you lash out when your child doesn't eat the meal you lovingly prepared.

Because your trust was shattered by another, your loyal husband pays the price as his faithfulness is questioned again and again.

Because of negative words poured over your tender heart, you struggle to believe your value to God.

Collateral damage. All of it.

Years ago I struggled with collateral damage. Because of my own past hurts, sometimes I lashed out, or withdrew from a loved one. Sometimes I worked way too hard to be accepted by a God who loved me right where I was.

Psalm 147:3 promises God can fix these broken parts. As He began to heal my heart, He showed me the cracks weren't the source of the problem. My behavior, my inadequacies, even my struggle to feel grace ... these were superficial issues.

The foundational issue was there from the time when a little girl tried hard to stay out of trouble, to make peace, and yet nothing I did worked. So I learned how to hide, how to defend myself, and a few other unhealthy behaviors along the way. Do you relate?

By taking my eyes off the cracks and opening my heart to 

God, the original source of damage was in plain sight ... 

where it could be addressed and healed. The more I soaked 

those wounds in God's truth, the more I began to recognize 

the cracks and see them in an entirely different Light. The 

more He healed me.

The fact that a child didn't eat a meal so lovingly prepared has nothing to do with a woman's value; it's just one of the many mom-things we get to tackle.

The fact that your trust was shattered by another just makes the gift of a loyal husband that much more sweet.

The fact that negative words were poured over your tender heart means the thousands of words etched in Scripture are that much more powerful because they redefine you, as seen and loved by your Heavenly Father.

The crack in my living room is slated to be fixed. And next summer I'll be sure to water my foundation in the fierce heat. But as for me, my heart is bound and secure, and that foundation has become a source of collateral gifts in my marriage, with my children and grandbabies, and in my relationship with my God.

Dear Jesus, before today I pointed out the cracks, those superficial acts and behaviors that I've tried to patch over. But today I hold up my heart. You see the foundation of my brokenness. Thank You for binding up my wounds, for healing, and for my new journey to wholeness. In Jesus' Name, Amen.