01
Overview
The wounded man limps from the arena with injuries to body, soul, and spirit. His efforts have not been enough, and he has reached the end of himself. Defeat and loss were never part of his plan.
He may experience depression, anxiety, lost identity, purposelessness, and grief. Feeling stuck, he faces a choice between a midlife crisis and midlife resolve.
02
The Enemy’s Attacks
- Convincing him that life is pointless.
- Urging him to return to endless warrior striving instead of engaging his woundedness.
- Whispering, ‘Run away. Quit. Reinvent yourself. You are missing out.’
03
The Path Toward Growth
He learns to trust Jesus through trials, suffering, and tribulation, growing in perseverance and faith. He resists the temptation to abandon the journey and presses toward the prize.
With his Savior and the support of other men, he works through wounds that have accumulated along the journey of manhood. The wisdom gained can eventually help him lead others.
04
Reflection Questions
Take time with these. Consider them in prayer, in a journal, or in conversation with a trusted man.
- What loss or wound have I been trying to outrun instead of honestly engaging?
- What would trusting Jesus look like in the part of my life I cannot fix by trying harder?
- Which trustworthy person could walk with me as I choose resolve and take a next step?
Each new stage incorporates the earlier ones. These questions invite reflection wherever you are in life; they are not a measure of rank or maturity.