Old Wounds, New Life
- Rachel Vaughn
- 6 days ago
- 4 min read

Today we’re talking about Old Wounds, New Life
We all have old wounds, but we don’t really care to talk about them. Whether it’s from our past, a relationship, a failure, or something we thought we were over—those old hurts can sneak back in.
But here’s the hope: in Christ, we don’t have to stay stuck there. There’s new life waiting on the other side of those wounds.
So, let’s unpack this together—with a little laughter and a whole lot of grace.
Let’s start by getting honest. Old wounds aren’t always visible—but they definitely show up. And sometimes, we don’t even realize how much they’re still affecting us.
Have you ever had a moment where something small hit a nerve and you reacted way bigger than expected? I’ll never forget a time I snapped over a silly comment—only to realize it poked at something from years ago. Old wounds don’t stay buried—they just hide until something digs them up.
2 Corinthians 5:17 (NLT) – “This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!”
When we recognize those wounds, we can go to God, ask Him to help us identify the reasoning, and ask for healing. He will gladly walk us through that healing.
Wounds from the past can still follow us. Sometimes we think we’ve moved on, but if we don’t deal with the root, it keeps growing.
We try to laugh it off, stay busy, or pretend we’re fine. But unresolved pain always finds a voice. Maybe it comes out in our tone, our silence, or our anxiety. The first step to healing is being real about what still hurts.
It has been really important for me to help my kids in identifying and talking about their reactions. Sometimes we just react, but there are times when you know it came from a different place. Knowing the why really does help us to move forward. Understanding makes all the difference.
God never forces healing—but He always invites it. He sees our wounds, even the ones we’re too afraid to name. And He says, “Let me touch that. Let me redeem that.” That’s where new life begins.
So many times in the Bible, we see this work of Jesus. He walked up to a lame man at the pool and simply asked him, “Do you want to be healed?” There was no forcing, just a simple question—and once the man said yes, Jesus helped him and healed him.
We’ve talked about the wounds—now let’s talk about the healing. Spoiler alert: healing is hard. It does take time. But it’s always worth it. And sometimes, God uses unexpected things to do it.
Healing is rarely instant. Sometimes it’s messy. But healing is not just the absence of pain—it’s the presence of peace. It’s learning to breathe again, forgive again, trust again… one step at a time.
2 Corinthians 5:17 (NLT) – “This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!”
God often heals through people—a conversation, a friend who listens, or someone who’s walked that same road. Don’t be afraid to let others into your process. Vulnerability isn’t weakness—it’s brave.
This is so true. Do you have a friend you can call, and when you hang up, you feel refreshed? There was healing in that conversation. Connecting with someone who has experienced something similar is also very healing—it helps us to know we aren’t the only ones and maybe even gives us a little confidence that we didn’t mess up while walking through whatever it was.
There is healing in confirmations and understanding.
When it comes to healing old wounds and moving forward into new life, it starts with just one step. Maybe your “start” is journaling, praying honestly, talking to someone, or simply admitting that something still hurts. That step matters. Healing begins when we stop pretending and start inviting God in.
Being open and honest—not only with ourselves but also with others—helps us to take that one step forward. Though it will be difficult, sometimes the first step is the hardest. Once you realize that forward motion doesn’t always end badly, you’re more likely to continue on in your healing and growth.
Here’s the exciting part: NEW LIFE!
God doesn’t just patch us up—He renews us. And even though we carry scars, those marks can tell stories of healing, not pain.
2 Corinthians 5:17 (NLT) – “This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!”
You don’t have to be completely “healed” to help others. Sometimes your openness about the journey is the very thing someone else needs. Your wounds can become bridges.
2 Corinthians 5:17 reminds us: “The old life is gone; a new life has begun!” Not might begin. Has begun. Right now, right here. Even if the past still echoes, you are not who you used to be.
Sometimes healing looks like laughter again, rest again, hope again. Don’t be afraid to enjoy the new life God is giving you. Joy is not denial—it’s evidence that God is restoring you.
For me healing looked like laughter, it was in finding my joy again that healing and growth really started to change me life. Find my joy again, through Christ, rooted me and my passion to draw close to Him really began.
Ask yourself: What is God doing in me that’s new? What’s blooming in the space where something once broke? You may not have all the answers, but you have the hope—and that changes everything.
Remember this: Old wounds may have shaped your past, but they don’t define your future. In Christ, you are new. And you are loved.
So keep walking forward—scars and all—into the beautiful life God’s writing for you.