Kingdom Leaders Bind the Broken Hearted

John Eldredge says, “The story of your life is a long and brutal assault on your heart by the one who knows what you could be and fears it.”

Our hearts take shrapnel all the time.

Unfortunately, many don’t detect the wounds and limp along through life.

John Eldredge says, the story of your life is a long & brutal assault on your heart by the one who knows whtat you could be & fears it. Our hearts take shrapnel all the time but many don't detect the wounds & limp along. Click To Tweet

As leaders we can’t afford to have a self-referential view of the unbridled attack all around us. We live in a world at war.

The story of your loved ones – your spouse and kids is the same – a long and brutal assault on their heart by the one who sees what they could be and fears it.

The story of your work associates, staff, clients and customers is the same – a long and brutal assault on their hearts.

You will be wounded. Your loved ones will be wounded. In fact, you will never lock eyes with another human being who is not wounded in some way … deeply.

As leaders, we can't have a self-referential view. We live in a world at war. You will be wounded. Your loved ones too. In fact, you never lock eyes with another human being who is not wounded in some way … deeply. Click To Tweet

Just because the battle is invisible, at a heart level and spiritual, doesn’t mean it’s not real.

It is real.

As kingdom leaders, we are called to be the hands and feet and voice of Christ that bring healing and bind-up the broken-hearted.

Just because the battle is invisible, at a heart level, doesn't mean it's not real. As kingdom leaders, we are called to be the hands, feet & voice of Christ that bring healing & bind-up the broken-hearted. Click To Tweet

Leaders enter the hornets nest of shame, guilt, pain and grief to stand in the gap and make up the hedge. Leaders take the initiative, assume the responsibility and lean in,  even when it feels uncomfortable or frightening.

Consider the film, Good Will Hunting. There’s a powerful scene when Sean the psychologist informs Will that he reviewed his file. The entries detailed a horrific childhood extending into his young adult years – abuse upon abuse. It was awful.

Sean wanted Will to know something very important, “Will, all this crap … it’s not your fault.” Will dismisses the comment but Sean says it again, “No Will, you don’t understand son, it’s not your fault.” He repeats it over and over again. Each time, Will gets more impatient and then angry. Sean says it one last time, “Son, listen to me, look at me, it’s not your fault. It’s not your fault.” Will two handed him into the chest pushing him back, but then embraces him and pulls him close saying, “I’m so sorry, Sean … I’m so sorry … sorry.” Big tears flow down, tears of cleansing, renewal and restoration. Will’s embrace with Sean began to heal his heart. It was the beginning of a deep restoration and recovery from a lifetime of wounds.

If we have eyes to see and ears to hear, we will recognize this level of hurt in people all around us. It may not be as serious as a lifetime of abuse but there is pain and grief and loss and guilt and shame.

If we have eyes to see and ears to hear, we will recognize this level of hurt in people all around us. It may not be as serious as a lifetime of abuse but there is pain and grief and loss and guilt and shame. Click To Tweet

It’s not our place to pry. It’s not our role to poke around uninvited. However, as Kingdom leaders we can create safe environments relationally so that those who do want to heal and be restored will find in us a safe refuge and a place of encounter with Jesus who came to heal, restore and bind the broken hearted.

It's not our place to pry. However, as Kingdom leaders we can create safe environments relationally so that those who do want to heal and be restored will find in us a safe refuge and a place of encounter with Jesus. Click To Tweet