Today I would like to address the one thing that seems like everyone has happen to them but will never talk about in a positive way: being hurt by someone else.
When I am in the altar working through the altar service, one of the few things that I actually hear there is that “I am hurting” or “someone hurt me and I need help”. Used to I would like to fancy my mind in being persuaded that people just did these sorts of things in private to work past them. Now? I realize exactly where the dumping grounds are: pretty much anyone other than God.
If someone has bothered us, offended us, or even hurt us and we do not take it to God (as God has sent word for us to do), we’ll naturally do something with the hurt. In the temporary short run we’ll verbalize the hurt to others to get a little bit of instant gratification (when it doesn’t help at all), all the while increasing the amount of hurt that someone has done upon others as well. As we keep holding on to bad feelings in the long run emotions eventually turn to actions, leading us to say or do things we would have never done had we got past it in the beginning.
Please let these words jump out and get into your heart. It’s very common to be easily offended because there is many offensive things in the world. You don’t have to stay that way though! Learn to put the practice of forgiveness into your life and find compassion for those that (when you see past the mistakes) truly need God.
The more love of God you have in your heart, the more Christ-like you can be, as it allows you to forgive anything as you pray for release from the bondage of hurt and love for the mercy of others! Always remember, one of the most powerful parts about being a witness isn’t how you start, it’s how you finish.