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How Do I Stop Hurting? |
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Let’s be honest. You’re hurting. Perhaps a friend has lied to you; or a spouse has left you; it could be you’ve been passed over again for a promotion at work. The fact is most of us are offended quiet often. The more we sit and think about the circumstances or “talk it up” to someone else, the deeper that pain goes. It will begin to “fester” if you don’t deal with the issue. The question is how do you resolve the issue to allow healing to begin? Matthew 18:15 provides your first instruction: “If your brother wrongs you, go and show him his fault, between you and him privately. If he listens to you, you have won back your brother.” You might say “that’s easy for you to say, but you don’t know how they are going to respond!” You’re right, neither of us knows. However, right now we are concerned about your pain/anger and how you can let it go. It’s best to go straight to the one who has wronged you and privately show him/her his fault. As the scripture says, he may listen to you and the issue can be quickly resolved. Sometimes that might not be the case. Then what? Your next instruction is found in Matthew 5:44. “But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you…” OK, OK. I hear you! That rubs you the wrong way, doesn’t it? It probably goes against everything you’ve been taught from the world’s point of view. If you can’t love them right away, don’t give up. Each time your thoughts begin to dwell on the offence, or the one who committed it against you, ask your Heavenly Father to help you love them. If you’re serious and you keep asking, He will. You’ll find your final instruction in Isaiah 61:3 Put on “the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness” Each day make a conscious decision to dress yourself with the garment of praise. You’ll be amazed how quickly that spirit of heaviness/hurt/anger... will depart from you. When we offer praise we prepare our hearts to receive. What will you receive? You’ll receive healing from your pain. You’ll receive deliverance from your anger. You’ll receive restoration in your heart and the ability to love the very one who hurt you so much. Come on, give it a try. What do you have to lose except all that painful baggage. |