Wounded Cravings: Understanding Soul Wounds and Soul Cravings

We may all have a scar story. It is the story that we capture people with as we point to our external wound and share our harrowing story of survival from the fishhook, badminton net poll (yes, this is mine), or ____ (and you fill in the blank). But sometimes the wounds are beyond what people can see. These wounds pierce the soul conjuring cravings to soothe our soul wounds. These wounds and cravings appear unbearable, but there are ways and options for healing.

Soul Wounds

While some wounds are deep lacerations that often require some type of medical assistance such as stitches, splints, surgery, etc., there are also wounds that cut even deeper. As I was researching the definition of wound, I found it interesting that even Webster includes as part of its definition, “A mental or emotional hurt or blow.” And this definition is certainly pertinent to soul wounds.

Soul wounds are some of the deepest and hardest wounds to heal because they pierce the most sacred part of ourselves: our soul. Wounds may occur due to trauma, attachment issues, betrayal, abuse, and more. These wounds ofte remain buried deep inside of us due to the fear of facing them. The pain of facing the wounds appears greater than facing the pain of healing. However, the pain of not facing the wounds can last far longer.

The wounds of our soul have produced cravings in attempts to soothe the wound. This may lead us to unhealthy cravings in which we find ourselves in environments or with people that recreate an environment in which we are comfortable being wounded.  

Soul Cravings

Cravings are intense and cannot be soothed until met (or so it seems). One minute I want something healthy, and the next I am eating anything not nailed down! And the cravings oscillate from salty to sweet to savory back to sweet. It’s a revolving door of cravings that can lead us to unhealthy outcomes. Is this not true of our soul cravings as well?

The intensity of our cravings can have varied results. Depending on how long we have endured the wounds, we may find ourselves scrambling to meet the cravings gorging ourselves on whatever feels like it will satisfy those cravings. However, some of us have endured the cravings for so long that we do not know we are even hungry anymore. We have become accustomed to our soul’s hunger pains. Regardless of how long and intensely we have endured the cravings, or have become accustomed to them, we may find ourselves with inability to recognize how costly the cravings truly are. Therefore, recognizing them is critical in healing them.

Recognizing the Cravings

Interesting fact: sheep are always hungry. And just like sheep can get in a little trouble from eating the wrong thing or too much of a good thing, so can we. Our soul cravings, when not kept in check, can lead to us to harmful habits .

Soul cravings are strong, and we often will do what is necessary to calm them. However, because we may not know what is driving the cravings, we resort to unhealthy mechanisms to stop them. Some of these mechanisms create for us a conundrum. We want to feed the cravings we are enduring, yet we see the harm of what we are choosing. And we feel helpless to stop the cycle. However, we can interrupt this cycle and shift to a healthy soul sources.

Soothing the Wounds and Cravings

Over the next few weeks, I will be sharing five ways we try to feed our cravings in unhealthy ways and the cost of doing so. Additionally, I will provide remedies for soothing the cravings to soothe the soul wounds. However, to begin the process, let us look at three ways to prime our souls for the healing it awaits.

 1)        Be Aware

 Our mind, body, and hearts are story tellers. They let us know when we are safe, scared, lonely, etc. Because we may have learned to stuff our feelings and pretend as though we are fine, our alarm system in our brain may have dampened our ability to recognize the story our body, mind and heart is telling us. Therefore, being aware will take practice.

Practicing awareness can come in many forms. It may be through prayer, reading scripture, meditating, yoga, or journaling. Whatever allows us to truly examine our internal state will be a tool we can implement in being aware of our internal stories.

This is something that God desires for us to do as well. David asks of God in Psalm 139:23-24, “Search me, God, and know my heart, test me and know my anxious thoughts.” Maybe one of our first steps in awareness is to ask God to show us those wounded places that need healing. Not an easy task, but one that can lead to curbing the cravings driving destruction.

2)        Be Willing

 We cannot heal what we do not feel. To heal, we must address the wounded parts of our soul and name the experience. This may be a scary, exhausting task. Facing the trauma appears to be too much. However, if we want different outcomes, we have to do something different and facing our pain may be the difference we need.

This world has plenty of practice in doling out painful experiences, and then telling us not to focus on it and just keeping trucking along. That is not helpful or healing. In Scripture there are several stories of healing (Matthew 4:23, Mark 5:25, Luke 5:19, etc.). However, no healing occurred without willingness to face the wounds. And once willingness occurred, the healing began.

 3)        Be Ready

Healing takes courage. There will be good days, bad days, painful days, and restful days. No change is easy. Our brains, bodies, and hearts will buck at feeling the pain, and, sometimes the peace because it is not accustomed to feeling either. However, we must remain steadfast in meeting the healing head on.

To walk through our wounding, we may need a professional to help us face and endure the journey. There is absolutely nothing wrong with asking for help. Jesus is okay with us asking for help (Matthew 7:7). He wants His children to be whole and healthy living an abundant life (John 10:10). We can know that each day of healing is a step closer to seeing wounds closed and cravings calmed.

Final Thoughts

Soul wounds are deep and conjure cravings that seem overwhelming. Facing these wounds and cravings can be frightening and exhausting. However, through awareness, willingness, and readiness, we can experience what David reports, “He heals the brokenhearted, and binds up their wounds” (Psalm 147:3).

Challenge Questions:

1)        Can you identify your soul wounds and cravings?

2)        How can you acknowledge, be willing to face, and be ready to face the healing your wounds need?

3)        What methods can you employ to help you through this process of healing?

4)        What are some scriptures than can help you in whatever part of the journey of healing you are on?