Unredacting Our Stories: The Path to Healing

Devotional

Day 1: Unredacting Our Stories: The Courage to Face Our Own Wounds

We often allow others to see the ways we have been hurt, but we tend to keep hidden, or "redacted," the ways we have hurt others or the burdens we carry from our past. True healing and spiritual growth require us to unredact these parts of our stories, to honestly examine the wounds we have caused and the pain we carry, even when it is uncomfortable. This process is not about shame, but about wholeness—recognizing that God already knows our full story and invites us to bring it into the light for healing. [14:37]

Luke 19:1-10 (ESV)
He entered Jericho and was passing through. And there was a man named Zacchaeus. He was a chief tax collector and was rich. And he was seeking to see who Jesus was, but on account of the crowd he could not, because he was small of stature. So he ran on ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him, for he was about to pass that way. And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for I must stay at your house today.” So he hurried and came down and received him joyfully. And when they saw it, they all grumbled, “He has gone in to be the guest of a man who is a sinner.” And Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, “Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor. And if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I restore it fourfold.” And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, since he also is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”

Reflection: What is one area of your life you have kept "redacted" from God and others—something you have hidden or avoided facing? What would it look like to begin to bring that into the light this week?

Day 2: The Power of Jesus’ Affirmation Over Our Shame

Zacchaeus spent his life feeling less than, seeking validation from wealth and status, but Jesus called him by name—“pure one”—and chose to be with him, seeing beyond his past and his reputation. Jesus’ affirmation cut through Zacchaeus’ shame and the labels others placed on him, offering him a new identity rooted in grace and love. When we allow Jesus’ voice to define us, rather than the voices of our past or our critics, we find the freedom to live authentically and pursue true transformation. [01:08:01]

Isaiah 43:1 (ESV)
But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.”

Reflection: Where in your life are you still seeking validation from others or from your own achievements? How can you intentionally listen for and receive Jesus’ affirmation of your true identity today?

Day 3: Understanding the Burden Behind the Behavior

We often judge others—and ourselves—by outward actions, but beneath every behavior is a story, a burden, or a wound that shapes how we respond to life. Like Zacchaeus, many of us are driven by pain, rejection, or generational patterns that we did not choose, and these can lead to maladaptive behaviors or cycles of hurt. True compassion and growth come when we take time to understand the backstory, both in ourselves and in others, and allow God to bring healing to the root, not just the fruit, of our actions. [39:46]

Psalm 139:23-24 (ESV)
Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!

Reflection: Think of a behavior or pattern in your life that frustrates you. Can you prayerfully ask God to show you the story or wound beneath it, and invite Him to begin healing that deeper place?

Day 4: The Freedom of Taking Responsibility and Making Amends

Spiritual maturity is not just about being forgiven, but also about taking responsibility for the ways we have hurt others—whether intentionally or unintentionally—and seeking to make amends. Zacchaeus’ transformation was marked by his willingness to unredact his list, to name those he had wronged, and to restore what he had taken. This act of accountability brings freedom, closure, and opens the door for new seasons of healing and growth, even if reconciliation is not always possible. [01:17:09]

Matthew 5:23-24 (ESV)
So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.

Reflection: Who is one person you have hurt—by action or omission—that God is bringing to mind? What is one step you can take this week to acknowledge your part and seek to make amends, even if only in prayer?

Day 5: Seeing Ourselves and Others Through the Eyes of Jesus

The journey of identifying the wounded is not about falling into shame or self-condemnation, but about seeing ourselves and others through the compassionate, redemptive eyes of Jesus. He knows our full story, calls us by name, and chooses to dwell with us, offering grace for our past and hope for our future. As we make our lists and face our stories, we do so not to dwell in regret, but to honor God, to grow in maturity, and to become agents of healing for ourselves and those around us. [01:15:24]

Romans 8:1-2 (ESV)
There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.

Reflection: As you reflect on your story and your list, how can you shift your perspective from shame to grace, and begin to see yourself—and those you have hurt or who have hurt you—through the eyes of Jesus?

Sermon Summary

In this season of our “12 Steps to Better” journey, the focus is on the courage it takes to identify those we have wounded, not just those who have wounded us. Drawing from the story of Zacchaeus in Luke 19, the challenge is to move beyond the tendency to “redact” or hide the parts of our story where we have caused harm. Just as government files are often redacted to conceal sensitive information, we too often black out the uncomfortable truths about our own actions, preferring to display our victimization rather than our responsibility. True spiritual and emotional recovery requires us to unredact these hidden places, to face the reality of our impact on others, and to make a list of those we have hurt.

Zacchaeus’ story is a powerful example of this process. Born with limitations beyond his control, he was shaped by generational and contextual wounds—his short stature, his family history, and the social rejection he endured. Yet, his drive for wealth and status was fueled by a desire to compensate for these wounds, to prove himself to those who doubted him. But even at the height of his success, Zacchaeus was not at peace. It was only when he encountered Jesus, who called him by name and saw him as “pure,” that Zacchaeus found the courage to unredact his story, confess his wrongs, and seek to make amends.

This journey is not about shame or condemnation, but about healing and wholeness. Jesus’ presence in our lives gives us the security to face our past honestly, knowing we are seen and loved. The process of making our list is not for the sake of reliving old wounds or seeking validation from others, but to honor God, to be at peace with ourselves, and to open the door for true transformation. Sometimes reconciliation with those we’ve hurt is not possible, but the act of honest identification and confession is a step toward freedom and maturity. As we walk this path, we are reminded that God’s view of us is not defined by our failures, but by His love and purpose for our lives.

Key Takeaways

1. Unredacting Our Stories: True healing requires us to face the parts of our story we would rather keep hidden—the ways we have hurt others, not just how we have been hurt. Like redacted files, we often conceal our faults, but spiritual growth demands honesty and vulnerability. Only by unredacting these areas can we experience genuine recovery and wholeness. [14:37]
2. The Burden Behind the Behavior: Our actions are often shaped by wounds and circumstances beyond our control—family history, trauma, or generational patterns. Zacchaeus’ drive for wealth and status was rooted in a deep sense of inadequacy and rejection. Recognizing the burdens behind our behaviors helps us extend grace to ourselves and others, and invites us to seek healing at the root, not just the surface. [25:10]
3. The Power of Jesus’ Affirmation: When Jesus called Zacchaeus by name, He affirmed his true identity—“pure one”—despite his past. God’s affirmation is not based on our performance or the opinions of others, but on His love and knowledge of who we truly are. Learning to see ourselves through God’s eyes frees us from the endless pursuit of external validation and empowers us to live authentically. [68:01]
4. Making Amends Without Shame: The process of making a list of those we have hurt is not meant to bring us into a place of shame or condemnation. Instead, it is an act of courage and obedience, fueled by the presence of Jesus in our lives. Even if reconciliation is not possible, identifying and confessing our wrongs brings us peace and opens us to new seasons of growth and restoration. [76:17]
5. Maturity Through Honest Inventory: Spiritual maturity is marked by the willingness to take honest inventory of our lives, to acknowledge both the wounds we carry and the wounds we have inflicted. This journey is not about perfection, but about growth, humility, and the pursuit of wholeness. As we identify the wounded—both in ourselves and in others—we participate in God’s work of redemption and transformation. [80:36]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[13:29] - The Meaning of “Redacted”
[14:37] - Hiding Our Faults vs. Showing Our Wounds
[16:17] - Using God to Run from God
[19:12] - Entering Zacchaeus’ Story
[25:10] - The Burden Behind Our Behaviors
[27:31] - Life’s Uncontrollable Wounds
[28:43] - How Childhood Trauma Shapes Us
[36:35] - Victims Becoming Victimizers
[41:21] - Generational Patterns and Expectations
[46:03] - The Generational Roots of Zacchaeus’ Struggles
[49:36] - Zacchaeus’ Turning Point
[53:08] - Shifting Perspective: Seeing Jesus
[68:01] - Jesus’ Affirmation and Our True Identity
[76:17] - Making Amends Without Shame
[80:36] - The Goal: Identifying the Wounded
[88:52] - Sins of Omission and Commission
[89:53] - Closing Prayer and Blessing

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Luke 19:1-10 (ESV) — > He entered Jericho and was passing through. And there was a man named Zacchaeus. He was a chief tax collector and was rich. And he was seeking to see who Jesus was, but on account of the crowd he could not, because he was small of stature. So he ran on ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him, for he was about to pass that way. And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for I must stay at your house today.” So he hurried and came down and received him joyfully. And when they saw it, they all grumbled, “He has gone in to be the guest of a man who is a sinner.” And Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, “Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor. And if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I restore it fourfold.” And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, since he also is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”

Observation Questions

What are some of the things about Zacchaeus’ life that were beyond his control, and how did these shape his actions? ([25:10])
According to the sermon, what does it mean to “redact” parts of our story, and why do people do this? ([14:37])
How did Jesus respond to Zacchaeus when he called him by name, and what did Zacchaeus’ name mean? ([01:08:01])
What did Zacchaeus do after his encounter with Jesus, and what does this show about his heart? (Luke 19:8-9)

Interpretation Questions

Why is it often easier for people to talk about how they have been hurt rather than how they have hurt others? ([14:37])
The sermon talks about “the burden behind the behavior.” How does understanding someone’s backstory help us show grace to them and to ourselves? ([25:10])
What does Jesus’ affirmation of Zacchaeus (“pure one”) teach us about how God sees us, even when we have a past? ([01:08:01])
The process of making a list of those we have hurt is described as a step toward healing, not shame. Why is this distinction important for spiritual growth? ([01:16:17])

Application Questions

The sermon challenges us to “unredact” our stories and face the ways we have hurt others. Is there a part of your story you tend to hide or minimize? What would it look like to bring that into the light this week? ([14:37])
Zacchaeus’ drive for wealth and status was rooted in wounds from his past. Are there areas in your life where you are striving for something as a way to cover up pain or insecurity? How can you invite Jesus into that place? ([25:10])
Jesus called Zacchaeus by name and affirmed his true identity. When you think about how God sees you, do you focus more on your failures or on His love and purpose for you? How can you shift your perspective? ([01:08:01])
Making amends is not always possible, but identifying those we have hurt is still important. Is there someone you need to add to your list, even if you can’t reach out to them? How can you pray for healing in that area? ([01:16:17])
The sermon mentions that spiritual maturity comes from taking honest inventory of both the wounds we carry and the wounds we have inflicted. What is one practical step you can take this week to grow in this kind of honesty? ([01:20:36])
Sometimes we use spiritual language or even God Himself to avoid dealing with our responsibility (“using God to run from God”). Have you ever done this? What would it look like to stop running and face the truth with Jesus? ([16:17])
The goal is not to relive old wounds or seek validation, but to honor God and open the door for transformation. How can you make this process about God’s work in you, rather than about guilt or trying to fix everything? ([01:18:21])

Sermon Clips

For us, we love to allow people to see our victimization. There's no problem showing what people did us wrong. Right? Yeah. It's no problem. We have no qualms with letting people know they did me wrong. But when it comes to the things that we did, those things are redacted classified. [00:14:37]

We think that because he died for us, then I'm going to use Calvary to absolve me of my responsibility to still identify the wounded. So that's, that's the theme for the month. Identify the wounded. So we, Jesus paid it all. He washed my sins away. The blood would never lose his power. So that's it. So we use God to run from God. [00:17:51]

And, and when you can't say, I'm sorry, it, you really, you're not ready to be healed or delivered. Cause it means there's a pride problem. Yes, sir. It means there's accountability problems. It can mean there's a heal, a lack of a healing because you, if you're not willing to address it, ask myself the question, you know, I'm asking myself the question rather now, am I using God? To run from God. [00:18:15]

Because what we do, we look at people's behavior, but not the burden. Right? Yes, sir. So, and so for me, when you think about the things, of course, things beyond his control. Things he was born with. And I think that happens with a lot of us. Even in church, I was thinking Sunday, and I didn't go here, you know, even issues, not just of abuse. or victimization or horrible upbringing or just the baggage we carry because we all bring it from our families. It's not always physical, but we bring something. [00:24:57]

There are things that affect being evicted. Yes. People seeing that stuff put out on the lawn. Yes, sir. As a six, seven -year -old. Going from pillow to post. There are situations like Zacchaeus. That you're born with. He couldn't control his height. Had nothing to do with him. And we face that similar situation, not just we're born with, but our context or things we experience. Yeah. Life happened to us, and now you've got to adjust. And if you don't properly affect that. Yes, sir. And deal with that. [00:28:11]

But then it affects your behavior later on, and we're often not sensitive to that. Condemn the behavior without really being sensitive to what's behind it. Yes, sir. No question. [00:29:21]

The victimizer, the victims become the victimizers they have not been able to take inventory to look within and discover the burden behind the behavior. And that's why I think it's so apropos that we really, really had these conversations because we want to just move beyond it. [00:38:52]

If he spoiled at home, you're going to have that expectation in every relationship you're in. Absolutely. Who's going to tell you no when you used to get whatever you want? Correct. Correct. But it's all a story. I mean, it's like what I was trying to do is let people see themselves him. Yes, sir. Yes, You know what I mean? Absolutely. [00:40:47]

So, some of you guys, you know, your mama bought this. Your mama bought this. Your mama did this. And now you're dating and you're looking for a mama. So, the ladies. And so, they post that clip on social media. The ladies are going crazy and the men are calling me everything but a child's job. But the same thing happens to women. Yeah, sure. If a woman has a father and the father pays this. Sure. He fixes her hair. Yeah. He spoils her. He buys this. He does this. Now, she's looking for a, she's dating a guy. Absolutely. I don't spend my money. Absolutely. And they'll say this to you. Absolutely. Oh, you pay all the bills. Yeah. I got a friend right now. I got a friend right now. His wife works. I'm not paying nothing. Yeah. My God. A full time job. I'm serious. Right to this point. And he could be, he could be, he is pulling this out of his head. Wow. Yeah. Trying to take care of the kids. Yeah. The bills. Car insurance. Mortgage. And she works a full time job. Jesus. But other, and said, I'm not paying a dime this house. You the man. My God. My Lord. You the man. And he is stressing himself crazy. You supposed to take care of me. Wow. My God. And I said, you're a better man than I am. Listen to me. Because I would have been. Listen. In Jesus name. I swear to God, I would have been. Listen. [00:41:48]

Sometimes we're not careful. Our trauma can be the thing that pushes us and it's pushed into the top. But being trauma led still wasn't enough because somewhere something happened. It says I need to see Jesus. Jesus. And that is good. And I think that's the thing that you're talking about because when he's able to bring Jesus to his house, it don't matter what nobody says. [00:51:08]

But for me, in my life, I had to grow. I got to see Jesus more than him. Wow. That's good. And when I saw Jesus, I saw myself. Like Isaiah, when I when I saw him, I lifted up the first time I said, what was me? Wow. Because when I look at him. He's a villain. Make me feel better about myself. so when I look at him but when I look at Jesus I got to say war is me man who's undone, I dwell in the midst of an unclean, shifted my perspective think something happened for Zacchaeus that he wanted to see him so much that now maybe he's not trying to prove anything to anybody else no more, maybe all the stuff that was said negative about him and his family, maybe now that doesn't matter anymore he just wants to be at peace I don't think he had peace I don't think he had everything in the world but I don't think internally I don't think he loved himself I don't think he had peace and I think Jesus made a difference and that's why when he invited me to his house call me a sinner, call me whatever it don't matter because this man has brought something to my life that being a publican couldn't do that being rich, what he brought into my life and I think that's what you're talking about and I think that's where the maturity comes from when I can see him so my latter years I love my dad I've always loved him and the problem with my dad was his generation, they didn't believe in counseling [00:53:15]

But you can waste so much time trying to see what they say yes sir yeah rather than say God this is what you think about me you know my name yeah you know what I'm saying yeah you know what I'm saying that's so good yeah you know so I think I don't know who that's for but you know that even even when you're doing your list you know it's not for you to to fall back into that place emotionally yes sir I think you do your list through the lenses of how Jesus sees you okay and because I'm trying to honor him and please him yes he's speaking to my destiny he's speaking to who I am but I still need to go back yes I'm doing this for him yes yes [01:09:31]

Because as you do your list, it's not from a place of shame. not from not, because Jesus says you're pure. coming home with you. I know what you're doing. So I'm on this journey with you. Wow. He doesn't make the list until he gets in the house. But Jesus doesn't come home with you before he, when he gets home, he says, okay, if I, I'll give everything to the poor. If I, here's my, I'm going to unredact this list. And about it, I've taken from unjustly, I've paid them back for, for. So that's when he gets to the list in verse eight, verse nine. Yes, sir. Right? Yeah. But I think having the, having the connection. That the Lord is with me. Having a connection that he's in my house, he knows my name. Gives me the fuel to do my list and not be in a place of judgment. Yes. Or allow those feelings of that moment to overtake me. That's why I think it's so important, like, because, because condemnation jump on you so quick. Yes, Lord. [01:15:28]

So you don't have closure. Yes. So I believe maybe this moment and no, and no relationship has been successful. Since then. Wow. Because I said, I believe this may be your opportunity. That's right. Yes. For God to totally bring you healing. Yes. Yes. Right. So he can open up, open you up for your next season. Yes. That's right. Maybe your next season is concealed. Until you take a moment and deal with that. My God. [01:17:38]

No, you may not get reconciled. Right. And, but, but your maturity. Yes. And your perspective and your growth. Now, God may have somebody out there. That's going, that's waiting around the corner that everything you have frustrated up because you lost. Sure. He'll give you more. That's why I spoke to him over last night. And, and I believe that for people that even when you just because one, one relationship that you may have ended. Yes. Through your actions. Yes. And I'm saying my aunt lost the best thing and they won't. You, the goal, the goal here is to identify the wounded. Right. Yes. Not to reconcile them to the right place. With no, with no expectations of. Right. Yes. Right. It may be reconciled. Or the fact. Right. No, it's just to get that. Right. Out of you. Sure. Yes. To be at one with him. That's, that's the goal. It's identify and make your list. That's good. [01:18:42]

You get an apology you get an apology yeah yeah and you know we say that they back when i was growing up they would say the sins of omission sends a commission yes the co -mission the things i knew i was doing i did it i meant to cut you out yeah the sense of omission of things that may have happened i didn't intend yes and i believe and i and i think it's okay to pray lord show me yes you know i mean because of god we're revealing to you lord you know lord the things that i may not be aware of yes yes you know i mean yes sir [01:28:40]

Because I talked to later Sunday after the church and I was, I'm gonna say it and she said to me after the service right over here said pastor I don't really have a list and I looked there like kind of suspect like okay so you mean your whole life you never hurt nobody oh okay interesting you never so you never wounded nobody yo you never hurt no see said no it's okay all god bless you journey. [01:29:20]

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