Are there things in your life that hurt? People who hurt you? Disappointments? Regret?When I look around at things going on all over the world, I think I have no right to complain about anything. There are people suffering. People who are persecuted. Those who are homeless and dying of hunger. I have it so good and have not had these experiences to the point many have. Yet, there are times when life just hurts.
I am going to talk about five kinds of hurt over the next few weeks. Originally I had planned to do this in one post. I quickly realized this subject is way to broad. God taught me some things in this area, but there are many answers I still do not have and there is much I have yet to learn. I will, however, share what is on my heart this far on the subject.
I'll start with the area that I think is really the least complicated.
Hurt feelings. Feelings can be a tricky thing. When it is our feelings that are hurt because of what others do to us, the thing we always have to do is be quick to forgive.
Maybe someone just ignored us one day as we pass them in the grocery store. Let's not get overly sensitive. This sort of stuff really doesn't bother me anymore. If I think you are ignoring me... BEWARE! I will hunt you down and talk to you in every isle. :D
Sometimes friends don't meet a need or they are not there for us the way we think they should be. Often the problem is that our focus is more on our own needs than the needs of others. Instead of thinking what should they be doing for me, we need to ask ourselves what could I do for them? Taking the focus off of "I" helps. Only Jesus is that perfect friend that will meet ALL our needs.
Has anyone ever gossiped about you in a very unkind way or spread outright lies. This can be very hurtful and not always easy to get over. YET, forgiveness remains to be the answer. Forgiving does not excuse the other party's actions, but it frees us.
One thing I have learned over the years is you take a risk when you open yourself up to others. When we share our triumphs through Christ and also the battle within, we risk rejection, criticism and being misunderstood. I have had times when this did happen and to be honest closed myself off from taking more risks. I do sometimes want to shut down.
Ultimately, I cannot shut down or shut others out, AND have peace at the same time. We need to follow God's calling for us and continue on. If we don't, we rob ourselves, others and God. We will then risk not helping that one person that may have needed exactly what we had to give but were too afraid to. The risk of becoming too self absorbed to realize the needs of others. And the risk of being at a stand still, not learning from others or our own mistakes. May God help us all out of our comfort zones and be who he created us to be. Reach out with the tools and gifts he gave you.
When you are hurt by someone else's words or actions, fill your hearts and minds with the word of God. It can heal all wounds.
Ephesians 4:322 - And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.
Mark 11:255 - And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.
Matthew Chapter 18:21,22 Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.
May God give us the grace to represent the forgiveness of Jesus well.