Why the moment didn't just define me, but defiled me. This is the Daily Disturbance podcast with Anthony Fungi. Some old wounds never truly heal and bleed again at the slightest word. George Martin what if the moment didn't just define me, but defiled me?
That painful accusation, that physical abuse, that emotional trauma. Welcome to humanity. All those defining moments that didn't just define, but defiled you. To defile is to impair, to debase, to degrade.
Indeed, it is a fallen world. What will kill you will strengthen you, it is often said. I've said that too, but sparingly. Because in too many instances we've seen what didn't kill, didn't actually strengthen it, maimed it, debilitated it, left the person incapacitated forever.
And yes, while it's true that we've seen a lot of hurt people turn things around, restating what Joseph said in Genesis 50:20 to his brothers, and I quote, you intended to. To harm me, but God intended it for good, to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. But then again, not all have that perspective. And I think part of mindfulness for all of us today is realizing that so many are untrained, unequipped, unable to see challenges with that kind of positivity.
And we who have the ability are called to help them in that particular need. They need our support, our intervention in their moment, their defining moment of need. But then, perhaps it is you who wasn't just defined, but defiled. Well, first, I condole with you, if I may.
I agree with you. I really do. It may not seem obvious, but I can relate with you. Those painful accusations toward me, the physical abuses I went through.
I'm not from my parents or family. The emotional traumas that haunted me. It may be difficult to grasp at the moment, but there are a couple of things I've learned about my defiling moments. They are the following.
Okay. Number one, they validate my need for a savior. I. I can't do it on my own.
Even those closest to me will disappoint me in John 2:24, and I've mentioned this a couple of times over the past year, Jesus entrusted himself to no man because he knew what was in man. I mean, he wasn't suspicious, right? He wasn't judgmental, he wasn't cynical, but he was realistic. So, number one, in those areas where I felt defiled, I validate my need for savior.
Number two, these things add relatability to my character, to my person. So, just like others, just like me, you bleed too Right. So people can relate with you. So, number one, they validate my need for savior.
Number two, they add relatability to my character. Number three, those moments that defiled me and you, they lead me and you to our core strengths. Or our core strength. In my case, it's Christ within me because I can do nothing apart from him.
What are the core strengths that your painful experience is bringing out in you? Number four. They uproot my weak foundations, my unreliable foundations or alliances. My false gods.
Number five, they enlarge my view of the world's realities. Right. They expand my appreciation of life as a whole. And they empower me to influence more people from all walks of life.
V A L U E. They validate my need of a savior for a savior. They add relatability to my character. They lead me to my core strengths.
They uproot my weak foundations. And they enlarge my view of the world's realities. V A L U E. We need to see their value.
Let me close with this quote from James Baldwin and. Okay, another one from O Oprah Winfrey. From James. And I quote, you think your pain and your heartbreak are unprecedented in the history of the world.
But then you read. It was books that taught me that the things that tormented me most were the very things that connected me with all the people who were alive, who had ever been alive. End quote. And from Oprah, turn your wounds into wisdom.
That would be wise.