Finding Peace and Purpose Amidst Our Wounds

Devotional

Day 1: The Name of Jesus Brings Healing and Freedom

There is power in the name of Jesus that surpasses all other names; when you call on Him, healing, deliverance, and restoration are made possible, no matter how impossible your situation may seem. The name of the Lord is a strong tower, a refuge for the weary and the broken, and when you lean into that name, you find answers for every problem and strength for every weakness. No matter what you are facing—sickness, broken relationships, or spiritual battles—calling on Jesus is not just a ritual, but an invitation for God’s presence to intervene and transform your circumstances. When you run to Him, you are not just escaping trouble; you are running into the arms of the One who holds all authority in heaven and on earth. [01:11]

Proverbs 18:10 (ESV)
The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe.

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to intentionally call on the name of Jesus today, trusting Him to bring healing or breakthrough?

Day 2: Peace Is a Posture, Not a Place

Peace is not the absence of problems, but the presence of the problem solver; it is a posture of the heart that allows you to rest even when life is falling apart. Jesus, still bearing the wounds of His crucifixion, stood among His fearful disciples and declared, “Peace to you,” showing that true peace is not about having a perfect situation, but about having the presence of God with you in the midst of your pain. You can learn to sleep soundly and walk confidently, not because your circumstances are easy, but because you know the One who holds you together. Peace is a mindset, a decision to trust God’s wholeness even when you still see the scars and feel the ache. [14:26]

John 20:19-21 (The Message)
Later on that day, the disciples had gathered together, but, fearful of the Jews, had locked all the doors in the house. They were scared, y’all. Jesus entered, stood among them and said, “Peace to you.” Then he showed them his hands and side. The disciples, seeing the Master with their own eyes, were exuberant. Jesus repeated his greeting: “Peace to you. Just as the Father sent me, I send you.”

Reflection: In what situation do you need to shift your mindset from waiting for peace to choosing a posture of peace, even while the struggle continues?

Day 3: Victory Creates Opportunity for Vulnerability

True strength is not found in hiding your wounds, but in being vulnerable enough to show them; your scars are not your shame, but a testimony of God’s healing power at work in your life. When Jesus appeared to His disciples, He did not conceal His wounds—He invited them to see and touch the evidence of His suffering and victory. In the same way, your story, with all its pain and imperfections, can be the very thing God uses to bring healing and hope to others. Don’t let the fear of judgment keep you from sharing how God has brought you through; your transparency may be the key to someone else’s breakthrough. [20:55]

2 Corinthians 12:9 (ESV)
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

Reflection: Who in your life could be encouraged or helped if you were willing to share a part of your story or struggle that you usually keep hidden?

Day 4: Pursue Purpose While Managing Your Pain

Your purpose does not pause for your pain; God calls you to move forward, even when you are still healing, trusting that His presence goes with you and gives you strength for the journey. Jesus did not wait for His disciples to be fully healed or fearless before sending them out—He met them in their locked room, acknowledged their wounds, and commissioned them to continue the mission. Sometimes, you have to “play through the pain,” knowing that God has already equipped you with what you need to finish your assignment. Your feelings matter, but they do not have the final say; your future is calling, and God’s peace will walk with you every step of the way. [27:45]

Philippians 3:13-14 (ESV)
Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

Reflection: What is one step you can take today toward your God-given purpose, even if you are still carrying pain or uncertainty?

Day 5: Freedom and Peace Are for the Living

God’s desire is not just for you to rest in peace after death, but to live in peace and freedom right now, no matter what you are facing. You can be free from anxiety, depression, guilt, and the chains of your past because Jesus, the Peacemaker, walks with you and sets you free. When you embrace this freedom, you not only experience peace for yourself, but you become an agent of peace and healing for others—pulling them into the same freedom you have found. Let it be well with your soul, not because everything is perfect, but because you are walking with the One who makes all things new. [29:38]

John 8:36 (ESV)
So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.

Reflection: What is one area where you have been waiting for peace or freedom “someday,” and how can you claim and walk in that freedom today?

Sermon Summary

There is truly no other name like Jesus. In that name, we find healing, deliverance, and restoration. The name of Jesus is not just a word we utter in prayer; it is a strong tower, a refuge for the weary, and the answer to every problem we face. Even when life leaves us wounded and broken, the presence of Jesus brings a peace that surpasses understanding. This peace is not about the absence of trouble, but about the presence of the One who holds all things together.

Reflecting on the story of Jesus appearing to his disciples after the resurrection, we see that peace is a posture, not a place. Jesus, still bearing the wounds of crucifixion, stands among his fearful followers and declares, “Peace to you.” He does not wait for his scars to disappear before offering peace. Instead, he demonstrates that true peace is found in the midst of pain, not in its absence. Our wounds do not disqualify us from peace; rather, they become the very evidence of God’s sustaining grace.

Victory in Christ creates opportunities for vulnerability. Jesus does not hide his scars—he shows them. In a world obsessed with filters and perfection, we are tempted to conceal our brokenness. Yet, it is in sharing our wounds that others find hope and healing. Our scars tell the story of God’s faithfulness, and when we are honest about our struggles, we invite others into the healing process.

Purpose does not pause for pain. Jesus commissions his disciples while they are still processing their trauma. He does not ask them to wait until they are fully healed; he sends them out with their wounds, promising his presence will go with them. We are called to pursue our God-given purpose even as we manage our pain, trusting that Christ’s peace will accompany us every step of the way.

Freedom and peace are not reserved for the life to come; they are available now. We can live in peace, not just rest in peace. Because Jesus walks with us, we can face life’s challenges with confidence, knowing that the peacemaker is by our side. Even when life is falling to pieces, we can be at peace, for we are never alone.

Key Takeaways

1. Peace is a Posture, Not a Place Peace is not found in perfect circumstances but in the presence of Christ amid imperfection. Jesus spoke peace while still bearing wounds, teaching us that peace is a mindset and a spiritual posture, not a destination. Our external chaos does not have to dictate our internal calm. When we walk with the peacemaker, we can rest even when life is unsettled. [14:11]
2. Your Wounds Are Not Your Disqualification Jesus showed his scars to the disciples, modeling vulnerability and authenticity. Our instinct is to hide our pain, but God uses our wounds as testimonies of his healing power. The very things we try to conceal may be what God uses to encourage and heal others. True strength is found in being honest about our brokenness and allowing God’s grace to shine through it. [20:39]
3. Victory Creates Opportunity for Vulnerability After triumph comes the temptation to pretend the struggle never happened. Yet, Jesus invites us to show our scars, not to glorify pain, but to glorify the God who brought us through. When we are open about our journey, we create space for others to find hope and healing. Vulnerability is not weakness; it is a doorway to deeper connection and freedom. [19:01]
4. Purpose Must Be Pursued Even in Pain Jesus did not wait for the disciples to be fully healed before sending them out. Likewise, our calling does not pause for our pain. We are invited to move forward, trusting that God’s presence and peace will sustain us as we go. Healing is a journey, but purpose is not on hold; we are called to serve, love, and lead even as we heal. [25:02]
5. Freedom and Peace Are for the Living Peace is not just something we hope for after death; it is a gift for today. We can be free from anxiety, guilt, and the chains of our past because Christ has set us free. Living in peace means embracing the reality that Jesus walks with us, lifts our heads, and empowers us to live boldly, even when life is hard. This is the testimony of the redeemed: it is well with my soul. [29:38]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:18] - The Power of Jesus’ Name
[03:15] - Introduction to John 20
[04:39] - “I’m At Peace With It”
[05:50] - Forgiveness and the Power of Faith
[07:27] - Pain and Mental Wellness
[08:47] - Learning from Jesus’ Pain
[10:59] - The Disciples’ Fear and Hiding
[12:51] - Peace While Still Wounded
[14:11] - Peace is a Posture, Not a Place
[17:35] - Victory and Vulnerability
[19:01] - Showing Your Scars
[21:16] - Personal Story: Scars and Identity
[24:32] - Pursuing Purpose While in Pain
[29:38] - Living in Peace and Freedom
[32:47] - Walking with the Peacemaker
[33:33] - Jesus Lifts Our Heads

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

John 20:19-21 (The Message) — > Later on that day, the disciples had gathered together, but fearful of the Jews had locked all the doors in the house. They were scared, y’all. Jesus entered, stood among them and said, “Peace to you.” Then he showed them his hands and side. The disciples seeing the Master with their own eyes were awestruck. Jesus repeated his greeting: “Peace to you. Just as the Father sent me, I send you.”

Observation Questions

According to John 20:19-21, what was the emotional state of the disciples when Jesus appeared to them? What did Jesus do and say when he entered the room? [03:49]
In the sermon, what does the pastor say about the condition Jesus was in when he greeted the disciples? What physical evidence did Jesus still have from the crucifixion? [13:10]
What is the first thing Jesus says to his disciples after showing up in the locked room? Why is this significant? [14:11]
How does the sermon describe the way Jesus commissions the disciples, even though they are still processing their trauma? [25:02]

Interpretation Questions

The pastor says, “Peace is a posture, not a place.” What does it mean for peace to be a posture, especially in the context of Jesus still bearing his wounds? [14:11]
Why do you think Jesus chose to show his scars to the disciples instead of hiding them? What message does this send about vulnerability and authenticity? [19:01]
The sermon mentions that “purpose does not pause for pain.” How does Jesus’ commissioning of the disciples while they are still hurting challenge our ideas about when we are “ready” to serve or lead? [25:02]
The pastor says, “Freedom and peace are for the living.” How does this challenge the common idea that peace is only something we experience after death? [29:38]

Application Questions

The pastor shared that “peace is not about the absence of trouble, but about the presence of the One who holds all things together.” When have you experienced peace in the middle of a difficult situation? What helped you hold onto that peace? [14:42]
Jesus showed his scars to the disciples. Is there a “scar” or wound in your life that you usually try to hide? What would it look like to be more open about it, and how might that help someone else? [20:39]
The sermon says, “Victory creates opportunity for vulnerability.” After God brings you through something, do you tend to hide your struggle or share it? What keeps you from being vulnerable, and what could help you take a step toward sharing your story? [19:01]
Jesus sent the disciples out while they were still hurting. Is there an area in your life where you are waiting to be “fully healed” before you step into what God is calling you to do? What is one small step you could take this week, even if you’re still in process? [25:02]
The pastor said, “You can be free while you’re living.” Are there areas in your life where you feel stuck or bound—by anxiety, guilt, or your past? What would it look like to invite Jesus’ peace and freedom into that area today? [29:38]
Think about a time when you felt like life was “falling to pieces.” How did you respond? Looking back, is there anything you would do differently now, knowing that peace is a posture and not just a feeling? [31:12]
The pastor shared a story about someone forgiving a person who caused deep pain, saying, “I forgive you and I’m at peace.” Is there someone you need to forgive, or a situation you need to make peace with? What is one step you can take toward that this week? [06:08]

Sermon Clips

You cannot go through life allowing moments to critically pause and make you feel that you are stuck in a season that God is trying to call you out of. What this sister was trying to teach us is that I cannot let you control the peace that I want to accomplish in my life because if I don't forgive you, if I walk around angry at you, then you then control me from the inside out. [00:07:06]

Pain is necessary when you understand that everything you have experienced in your life is a part of God's plan and purpose for your life. Matter of fact, we just celebrated Resurrection Sunday on last week and while pastor walked us through the journey of Jesus and how he died on Friday, was buried on Saturday, stayed there all day Saturday and then got up early Sunday morning. [00:07:49]

The problem with many of us is we rush through life trying to ignore the painful moments in our lives. Maybe when God is trying to call you and I to sit in the tension because there's some things you learn in the process of pain that you don't learn from just running through acting like it didn't happen. [00:08:40]

Can you really pause? I know Jesus is high and holy. But can you pause and look at the trajectory of his life and how crazy it sounds? He can't even explain his own birth and how he got here. His daddy ain't really his daddy. He has no recollection of how his mama and daddy met. So, can you imagine him being in school when everybody else is talking about how their mom and daddy went to prom? the love of their life. [00:09:01]

And Jesus says, "I just showed up." To to to make matters worse, he doesn't have formal education, but at the age of 12, he mysteriously knows how to interpret the ancient scrolls. And then after 12 years old, he disappears for 18 years and then shows back up at 30 talking about, "I'm the Messiah and I can heal and I am the way." Doesn't that sound crazy to you? [00:09:35]

If our names were in the Bible, you talking about hiding, most of us would have booked one-way ticket somewhere to get out of town. Here's the their whole lives were wrapped up in his mission. You do remember they were minding their own business, doing their own successful business, doctors, lawyers, fishermen, and Jesus came and told them to come follow me. They didn't ask for this. They didn't beg to go with him. He came and told them follow me. [00:10:54]

But watch this. Not even fear can keep peace from getting to you. Uh even when you hide behind your proverbial locked doors, how many times have God interrupt your grieving process? Uh, and when you wanted to go in the house and pull down the curtains and lock the door and answer the phone and Jesus walks right into your bedroom, taps you on your shoulder and say, "Dry your tears." Come on. Uh, you still got work to do. [00:11:51]

How how how then how then can you be at peace while still carrying wounds? Um, by by nature, the body starts healing immediately after it's been cut. But this is 4 days later, which means he's still bearing the wound from the nails in his hand. You can still see from the pierce in his side, and perhaps he's still wearing the same clothes that got the blood stain. [00:12:46]

Peace is a posture, not a place. Lord have mercy. Let me say it again. Peace is a posture, not a place. Notice the first thing Jesus says to them when he shows up. Peace be with you. Church folk don't know when to shout. He's speaking peace while he still has holes. He's speaking healing while he's still being healed. He's still carrying scars. Uh his hands and sides are still showing trauma. [00:13:52]

Peace in this passage is det is pronounced irony. Which means wholeness not the absence of problems uh but the presence of the problem solver. Can I talk to somebody here who showed up this morning said, "I'm at peace, not because I'm in peace, uh, but because I got the presence of peace, uh, and when you walk with God, uh, you can learn how to go to sleep at night, uh, when all hell is breaking loose in your life." [00:14:23]

Let me say it again. Peace is not freedom from your situation. It's a mindset of how you view your situation. Your wounds are not your limitations. Your scars are not your shame. Your pain is not your prison. You've learned how to be at peace because it's a posture. Have you ever seen people who have a poker face? I mean, the building can be on fire. Everybody else is freaking out and they standing still. [00:15:18]

And sometimes in life, you've got to learn how to have a posture of peace while internally everything in your life is falling to pieces. I know you won't get it. So, let me uh remind you of this uh guy by the name of Horatio Spatford. You you don't know his name, but you know his song. 1873, he loses four daughters in a storm. He gets on a ship going to get his wife. [00:15:56]

And in the middle of the sea when his ship is on the way to meet his wife, his captain tells him, "This is where you lost your four daughters." And he takes out a pen and piece of paper and starts pinning these words. When peace like a river attendeth my way, when sorrows like sea bills roll, thou whatever my lot thou has taught me to say, it is well with my soul. Can you imagine? [00:16:19]

He had just lost four daughters uh in the same waters uh that he was riding in. Uh but he had the nerve to say it is well. That's not a place is a posture. And I need about 50 of y'all in here who's know how to take a posture of peace. Uh I don't know how this thing is going to turn out, but I'm at peace. Uh I still got to go to therapy, but I'm at peace. [00:16:44]

Victory creates opportunities for vulnerability. Watch what happens. Jesus shows in. It's in your Bible. He walks in. It says, "Peace with you." And he shows them his hands. Okay. Um Thomas wasn't around and we we need to really get up off Thomas. No, I'm serious. Cuz cuz the truth of the matter is most of us would have been just like them. [00:17:46]

When God gives you the victory, we are tempted to act like the battle never happened. Oh yeah. Come on. I'm coming down your road in a minute. When God delivers us, the first thing we want to do is go get a new outfit, get some new hair, new makeup, get a new haircut, fellas, and act like that last season didn't happen. We live in an era of filters. [00:18:18]

But maybe what Jesus is showing them is that I can help heal you even with holes in your hand. Can I talk to people that's holy, but you still got some holes in your life? Lord, help me. I wish I had somebody say, "I love Jesus, but I still got some holes." Uh, I know you can't tell with this suit, but I still got some holes in my life. [00:18:44]

Jesus shows us that true strength is not hiding your wounds. is being vulnerable enough to show them in the book is one of the greatest books I've ever read. The body keeps score. Here's what the author says. Being able to feel safe with other people is the single most important aspect of mental health. Jesus doesn't hide his hands. He invites them to show them. [00:19:01]

What is it in your life that you had tried to hide when God is saying the very thing you're trying to hide is who I've called you to be? uh that thing that you think disqualifies you uh is the very thing I'm using uh to show other people if God can use her in spite of it. Watch this news flash. God called you while you were crazy. He knew you were cynical when he called you. [00:20:00]

When you can talk about it and not be bothered. Come, come here. You know you're in victory when they name comes up and you ain't got to talk bad about them. You know you're in victory when you can say this is what happened. No, you got the fake story. If you really want to know, let me tell you how it really went down. Yes, I did it. Yes, I said it. Yes, I went there. But God still you. [00:20:36]

If you going to be at peace with it, you and I must learn how to pursue your purpose while managing your pain. Um here's what messes me up. When you read, start at verse 19 again. It says on the first day of the week, Jesus goes to find the disciples. They're locked in the room. He says to them, "Peace be with you." shows him his wounds and he repeats the same thing again. [00:24:39]

He says, "It happened. Here's my wounds. Now go do what I told you to do the first time. Let let me let me translate that to this is how I know Jesus was um kissed by the African son. Cuz growing up in my household, if you ever tried to act like you were sick, you better go in there and sick them dishes. I know your head hurt, but go wash them dishes while you got a headache. [00:25:20]

When your future is calling, you can't stay stuck in your feelings. When you have a future, here's what I'm trying to tell you. Your feelings matter, but they don't stop nothing. You've got to learn how to stay put while not staying stuck. I'm not saying that healing doesn't take time, but there's certain things you can't wait for in order for you to get healed before you bust a move. [00:26:24]

Which means the reason why you can move forward is cuz I'm going with you this time. And I don't know who I came to preach to, but that's how you can be at peace. Because the truth of the matter is if somebody would have caught you this time 20 years ago, uh you would have added the whole building out. You would have cussed people out without thinking about it. [00:28:02]

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