The Crosswalk Devotional: A Daily Devotional Christian Podcast Feeling Like an Open Wound
Have you ever felt like you were walking around as one giant, exposed nerve? Like just being in the world is too much? In today’s devotional, we reflect on that aching, raw feeling—and how God meets us there.
Vivian Bricker shares how a lyric from Taylor Swift’s “this is me trying” perfectly captured the feeling:
“It’s hard to be at a party when I feel like an open wound.”
We’ve all had those seasons—where we’d rather hide than engage, where even kindness stings, where the pain is just too close to the surface.
But God doesn’t leave us there. He meets us, gently and powerfully, in our most fragile state.
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When have you felt like an “open wound”? How did you find comfort—or where are you seeking it now? Share with us @LifeaudioNetwork or via email. You’re not alone in this journey.
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Full Transcript Below:
Feeling Like an Open Wound
By Vivian Bricker
“‘But I will restore you to health and heal your wounds,’ declares the Lord, ‘because you are called an outcast, Zion for whom no one cares’” (Jeremiah 30:17).
I have loved Taylor Swift’s music since I was eight years old. While many people have different views about her, I think most of us can agree that her music contains beautiful storytelling. When her album Folklore came out, I instantly fell in love with every song.
The song this is me trying particularly stood out to me upon first listen because of the following lyrics, “And it's hard to be at a party when I feel like an open wound.” How often have you felt like an open wound? I certainly have felt this way throughout my life, but I never was able to put it into words until I heard this song. Similar to other songs by Taylor Swift, this is me trying helped me articulate my feelings in a way that makes sense to myself as well as to others.
When we feel like an open wound, we feel easily hurt by others. Rather than wanting to go places and see other people, we want to stay at home and hide from the world. Anything and everything can feel like salt in the wound. When we find ourselves in this place, we don’t need to allow ourselves to fall into despair. Where God is, there is always hope (Romans 15:13).
During periods of feeling like an open wound, we need to turn to God. He can provide us with lasting healing. While He might not take all of the pain away, He can help us to recover and feel comfort. It is important to remember that God didn’t cause the pain we are going through. We live in a fallen world, and bad things can happen in this world. People can hurt us, we can fall on hard times, and we can experience illnesses.
Despite all of these terrible things happening around us and in our own lives, we can still have hope in God. The open wound in our hearts can be filled with hope if we allow God to comfort us. The comfort He provides for us is found in the Bible and in prayer. If we want to start the process of healing, we need to take up Bible reading and prayer.
Prayer can help us connect with God on a deeper level. Telling Him our struggles, problems, and emotions will give us relief like nothing else can. You might be surprised at how much comfort comes over you once you tell God about your feelings. He is your loving Father, and He will equip your heart with love, encouragement, and hope.
Bible reading helps us learn more about God and His goodness. Reflecting on accounts of God in the Bible can help us feel more comforted by Him. Two great Books of the Bible to start reading today are Psalms and the Gospel of John. Both of these Books will help you learn more about God and His comfort and love.
Learning more about His love and leaning into it can help our hearts heal from any wound.
God Cares about Us
From the Bible, we learn this beautiful truth, “‘But I will restore you to health and heal your wounds,’ declares the Lord, ‘because you are called an outcast, Zion for whom no one cares’” (Jeremiah 30:17). The Lord tells us in this passage that He will restore our health and heal our wounds. This passage is referring to Israel; however, it also applies to us as believers. There is no reason to believe that God would withhold healing and restoration from our lives.
Give the wounds that are on your heart today over to God. There might still be times when you feel like an open wound, but God can help you. He is already restoring your health and healing your wounds as you read these words. God cares about you and loves you. Never doubt these truths.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
Have you ever felt like an open wound? What did this feel like for you?
Healing from God will come in His timing. How might you reach out to Him today?
Is it encouraging to know God can heal your wounds? Why or why not?
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