Photo by peasap

By Liz Chang

The following is a poem I wrote in reflection of the Easter season and my experience as a marriage and family therapist for children, adults, couples, and families. May this encourage and inspire you who are persistent in the ministry God has called you to live out in this season of your life.

BY HIS WOUNDS WE ARE HEALED

How do we know that we are in need of healing
When the strength of our souls bear the weight of the holes
That press into the hearts of people who feel empty
The hearts of people who feel alone

Their tired sighs matched with their downcast eyes
Drooping shoulders and trembling knees tell the story
Of a people in need
Of a people who seek
Hope
Love
Comfort
Restoration

How do we know that we are in need of healing
When the strength of our souls exist — only
Because of the One who strengthens us with resilience
She, the Holy Spirit, strengthens us in silence
For it is in the stillness of His presence that our Heavenly Father
Strengthens us and gives us peace

His wounds on His hands and His feet
Heal the wounds of our labor as we seek to be Christ’s hands and feet in the world
His wounds on His back and side
Heal the wounds of our insides that ache in the face of pain and suffering–
Our pain, Our suffering
His wounds on His head
Heal the wounds of our minds that cry when truth is shrouded with lies
His wounds on His heart that cry, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?”
Heal the wounds of our hearts that desire community

How do we know that we are in need of healing
When the strength of our souls are only strengthened by God?
Well, it is His power that is made perfect in weakness
So in our weakness, in our need
Of healing and of strength
May we seek God and may Christ’s power rest on us and give us
Hope
Love
Comfort
Restoration

“Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him and by his wounds we are healed.” – Isaiah 53:4-5

Liz Chang is getting an MFT (Marriage and Family Therapy) degree at Seattle Pacific University. She graduated Taylor University with a BA in Psychology and Biblical Literature, and was raised in New York City.