This was one of my devotions this last week and it really spoke to my heart and encouraged me. I hope that it will do the same for any who read it.


Victory over a Wounded Spirit
by Dr. Paul Chappell


“Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

Hebrews 12:1-2


Most of us have had a glimpse of some part of the Olympic Games. We have witnessed the competition between some of the most gifted athletes in the world. We have seen fans cheering in the stands as athletes compete for a gold medal. Many of us have seen the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat.

Verse one of our text describes a heavenly stadium. This stadium is filled with witnesses who are watching a race that is taking place. The runners of this race are all of us that believe on Christ. The witnesses of this race are those who have gone before us—those who are now with the Lord.

What are the witnesses seeing in your life today? How do you respond when you face defeat? Many Christians carry the marks of a wounded spirit. They go about their lives with thoughts of hurt, disappointment, or even revenge.

Being hurt by others does not exempt us from the race. Many times a disappointment or a discouragement will sideline a wounded Christian. But God wants you to keep going even when your spirit is wounded. So how can we have victory over a wounded spirit?

We need to look to the Lord. Verse two says, “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” We need to look to Christ as our example. He faced heartache, rejection, and betrayal. Yet, He continued in His race and accomplished the goal that was set before Him.

The words “looking unto” mean to turn away from. It is the idea of focusing on one thing and turning from everything else. Just as an athlete focuses on his goal for the entire race, we should focus on Christ, our goal. When other people come into our lives and hurt us, we need to focus on Christ. We need to look to Him as our example and forgive those who have wronged us. Then, we must continue in the race and not let anything distract us from accomplishing God’s will for our lives.

As you go about your life, people may hurt you. Whether they meant to hurt you or not, they may wound your spirit. This is no reason to quit running your race! Look to Christ. He continued on even when those around Him forsook Him. Take time right now to look to Christ and seek His power in continuing on in your race.