The phrase "wounded healer" is famous in some circles. Take a minute to consider what it means...
Not a guru who is wholly separate and has all wisdom to impart.
Not an expert who has thought about things but not experienced them.
Not a salesman who is touting his goods for his own profit.
A wounded healer is one who brings to the art of healing the very real experience of being wounded himself. Jesus is described as a wounded healer, and as a Christian counsellor, I model my counselling care on the wounded healer.
We live in a world full of wounds - both physical wounds and the ever-so-real heart wounds which are unseen but painful still. And we need healing for all of those wounds.
Christ is the ultimate wounded healer - one who was literally torn apart for the sake of healing the world. It is Christ's care that provides rest and renewal for my soul. And it is Christ's care that informs my heart in counselling.
I am not a counsellor who has been untouched by pain - I am, like you, one who lives in a broken world and is impacted by the painful places here.
I want to care for others because I have experienced the deep, profound impact of God's acceptance and love for me when I was at my weakest. And that love was embodied by people in my community.
The wounded healer knows my pain and also knows how to heal.