Hello there! It's been a little while since I blogged. I want to talk about what to do when someone hurts us. It happens to all of us. We can be wounded, sometimes deeply, by friends, family, and even strangers. People are often self-centered, speak or act without thinking or just plain old mean intentionally. We can be guilty of hurting others also.
One of the first things biblically speaking that we should do is forgive. Forgive immediately even through the hurt. The hurt may still sting but forgiveness is the best thing for your heart and soul. Once you forgive, you can more easily control your own temper as you talk to the person and let them know they have hurt you. Ephesians 4:31-32 says Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: 32 - And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.
We must resist the urge to retaliate. Romans 12:17-19 reminds us Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. 18 - If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. 19 - Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. This is harder to follow than to say I know! It goes on in verse 21 to say Be not overcome with evil, but overcome evil with good.
Colossians 3:12-13 says Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; 13 - Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.
I realize in the moment, in the freshness of the wound, these commands of God are hard to follow. However, if we will keep a humble mind full of meekness and remember that we sometimes hurt others it will help.
Another thing that will help is to not allow ourselves to dwell on it. Don't let your mind linger thinking and thinking about what the person said or did. Philippians 4:8 says Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
Something else to do is to stop and self evaluate. Is there any truth to what someone said about you? Are you guilty of what they may be saying about you? Maybe you need to try to make some changes within yourself. If what they said isn't true, then remember that God loves you so much he sent Jesus to die and make a way back to having a relationship with Him and you are fearfully and wonderfully made...these are things that are true and pure and honest and absolutely lovely to let your mind dwell on.
One more thing... it will help in your forgiving if you remember that maybe the person was just having a bad day and lashing out or just speaking without thinking. Everyone is careless with words sometimes.
I hope this was an encouragement to someone.
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