From Hurting to Healing
From Hurting to Healing
“Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for their's is the kingdom of heaven.”
Matthew 5:10
I’m a pretty basic guy. That is to say that my reactions, my choices, my attitudes, just my demeanor is not any different than your average 50 something man. If you want to hurt me then my reaction is going to be retaliatory. I don’t enjoy being criticized or corrected let alone just treated poorly. At least when someone is taking the time to criticize or correct me it is usually coming from a place of love, but when someone just wants to hurt me it is pretty much a natural reaction for me to want to hurt them.
About 28 years ago my sister-in-law bought a football jersey for my son. He was about 2 years old and so cute. He was being raised a Chicago Bears fan...apparently I wanted him to suffer...anyway, she bought him a football jersey and wrapped it and was so excited to bring it to him. When he opened it, it was Dan Marion Miami Dolphins jersey...I couldn’t believe her. She obviously wanted to hurt me. I mean the only undefeated football team to that point was the ‘72 Dolphins and the Bears would have been undefeated in ‘85 if not for a horrible Monday Night Football game where Marino picked apart the Bears 4-6 Defense which to that point was almost impossible to score on...she had to have know and was trying to get under my skin! I started berating her and threw her out of my house...ok, so maybe I’m not so basic...I was a huge jerk.
I got saved a few years later and God has been working in my life. I can honestly say, I would handle that situation differently. What about when people want to hurt me as a christian? What about when they want to tell lies about me, or blame me for the problems in their lives? What about when doors are slammed in your face or you have jail inmates berating you because you use Jesus as a crutch? What about when people tell you that you should never speak about Christ again because you obviously don’t know what you’re doing? What about when people who have known you for years and think so little of your character they believe horrible things people who don’t really know you have said? What do you do in those situations? Jesus tells us to “rejoice and be glad, your reward is great in heaven”.
Being hurt hurts but Jesus understands that. Jesus allowed His hurt to heal me. He wants to use my hurt for Him to heal others. How can the find healing in their hurt if I just want to hurt them back? The hurt just goes on until someone chooses to have a less basic attitude.
Pastor Larry Hof
Here is a song for today!
https://youtu.be/Pmau3tkeEh0
“Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for their's is the kingdom of heaven.”
Matthew 5:10
I’m a pretty basic guy. That is to say that my reactions, my choices, my attitudes, just my demeanor is not any different than your average 50 something man. If you want to hurt me then my reaction is going to be retaliatory. I don’t enjoy being criticized or corrected let alone just treated poorly. At least when someone is taking the time to criticize or correct me it is usually coming from a place of love, but when someone just wants to hurt me it is pretty much a natural reaction for me to want to hurt them.
About 28 years ago my sister-in-law bought a football jersey for my son. He was about 2 years old and so cute. He was being raised a Chicago Bears fan...apparently I wanted him to suffer...anyway, she bought him a football jersey and wrapped it and was so excited to bring it to him. When he opened it, it was Dan Marion Miami Dolphins jersey...I couldn’t believe her. She obviously wanted to hurt me. I mean the only undefeated football team to that point was the ‘72 Dolphins and the Bears would have been undefeated in ‘85 if not for a horrible Monday Night Football game where Marino picked apart the Bears 4-6 Defense which to that point was almost impossible to score on...she had to have know and was trying to get under my skin! I started berating her and threw her out of my house...ok, so maybe I’m not so basic...I was a huge jerk.
I got saved a few years later and God has been working in my life. I can honestly say, I would handle that situation differently. What about when people want to hurt me as a christian? What about when they want to tell lies about me, or blame me for the problems in their lives? What about when doors are slammed in your face or you have jail inmates berating you because you use Jesus as a crutch? What about when people tell you that you should never speak about Christ again because you obviously don’t know what you’re doing? What about when people who have known you for years and think so little of your character they believe horrible things people who don’t really know you have said? What do you do in those situations? Jesus tells us to “rejoice and be glad, your reward is great in heaven”.
Being hurt hurts but Jesus understands that. Jesus allowed His hurt to heal me. He wants to use my hurt for Him to heal others. How can the find healing in their hurt if I just want to hurt them back? The hurt just goes on until someone chooses to have a less basic attitude.
Pastor Larry Hof
Here is a song for today!
https://youtu.be/Pmau3tkeEh0
Posted in Love, Blessed, Forgiveness, God is More, God of All Comfort, Living Sacrifice
Posted in hurt, hurting, heal, healing, blessed, beattitudes
Posted in hurt, hurting, heal, healing, blessed, beattitudes
Recent
Archive
2024
2023
July
August
Loving When You CannotWalk This WaySing With Me!Planning AheadStop Playing DeadYou Can Because He IsIt's All On YouWhat I Think?A Simple LifeJust Like NewKeeping Things BrightGod's Work of ArtMy Easy TaskSelfish to SelflessMy ShepherdI Thought Mom Said That?Every DayAt Home TooBeloved, Be LovingWhy Am I Being Tested?Here's a Good ExampleWhat Do You Know?Get Humble or Get HumbledFor Your ConsiderationYou Have My WordWhat Never Fails?Hurting?
September
Motives MatterPreparing to PraiseLeave the Light OnCan We Forgive?Where Do You Want Me To Stand?It's Not Over YetNo Means NoI'm Right HereBubble BustingWalk Much?I Don't Get It But I'm Glad I Got ItYou Never KnowLaws Are Meant to Be BrokenAm I Blessed?Let's Cry to Be ContentSeek to be MeekDo I Hunger & Thirst?Am I Merciful?Pure in Heart?Who's Your Father?From Hurting to HealingIt All Hangs Here
November
No Comments