As I was working last night, I saw that someone followed me on Pinterest. As I clicked on the email that announced the follow, it showed some recent posts that she had made.

One of them jumped out at me. The picture above seemed to say, “Chris, there are so many hurting in ways that most don’t know about.” It was as if God was asking me to remind people that there are those around you who are hurting.

(If you click the link, and then the pic inside of Pinterest, it goes to a pretty powerful song.)

In fact, it may just be you. Every single person has a wound of some sort. And if they don’t, it’s only a matter of time before they do. I have heard some boast that they’ve never fallen on hard times, only to fall shortly there after.

Growing up it was cool to act like you had everything together. Now, more than ever, I understand that so many hurt in so many ways. That none of us are alone. We all have wounds that may not have healed yet.

As a leader, it didn’t take me long to understand that there isn’t a “drop your wounds here” box outside of every office building. My team, if they were hurting, brought those pains to work.

If they were here to comment, I think, I hope, they would tell you that I focused on helping them heal those wounds. Why? Because at the end of the day, I would rather be guilty of focusing on God’s children, instead of my sales.

As a leader, you have to understand that your team members are human. They make mistakes, and they feel with everything in them. And sometimes…sometimes it’s up to you to help them.

The most profound thing I think I ever learned came from my Pastor’s wife. The incredibly sweet Montel Hardwick put her arm around me once and said, “Chris, be there when they’re hurting.”

Question: If we’re being honest, how many times in life did you wish someone came along side you and helped you heal from your wounds?