Hurt feelings

People hurt our feelings. We hurt others’ feelings. Often it is unintentional, a thoughtless statement made in passing, or a passionate discussion that elevates out of control. Other times it feels very intentional. A person even pauses, thinks about what they’re going to say, and then says it with a look on their face that adds to the sting. As much as it hurts when a stranger or acquaintance does this, the pain is magnified when it is done by someone we love.

Now, obviously, this happened to me recently or I wouldn’t be writing about it. Right after it happened, I prayed, “God, You can fix this if You want to, but, I give up.”

On Sunday, I went to Women’s Bible Study and we were talking about bestowing mercy on one another. So, I told God that I would work on it. Throughout the day, He gave me several signs and indications that it was, in fact, on me to forgive and not on Him to do my work for me.

So, here we are. Maybe someone has opened up to you recently about being hurt by a loved one and is holding that resentment and anger inside. It’s like poison to the body and the spirit. I’ve said it before, Satan messes with relationships to tear us down and to distract us from our loving and merciful Father. It’s really difficult to be in the word when our hearts are darkened.

Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
Ephesians 4:32 ESV

Please join me this week in praying for those who have been hurt by the words or actions of a loved one. Pray that they look to the Lord for healing. Pray that their hearts soften so they can rise above the situation, that they find the strength and courage to forgive their offender. Let’s also pray for the person who inflicted the injury that they might become more kind and tenderhearted.