Hatred and Hurt

I think most people have been hurt and have hated at one time or another in their lifetime.  We live in a time of great turmoil and stress, not knowing what the future holds for us.  It seems like people are so impatient and angry and easily offended.  

We are in such a hurry most of the time we hardly take time for one another.  It seems like the world has become so competitive that we are bound to be hurt in some way in this life just because we are so impatient, always in a hurry being pressured to be somewhere on time.  The church is not exempt either; good people hurt each other many times or are hurt by someone else.  

When people get hurt and offended, what usually happens?  Anger, bitterness and sometimes hatred set in and start to destroy the person, or persons, involved.  In many cases it ends up in slandering the person that caused the offence.  In Proverbs 11:13 it says this, “He who goes about as a talebearer reveals secrets, but he who is trustworthy conceals a matter.”  A slanderer speaks with intent to harm but can cause himself, or herself, great harm also.  Doing such things with intent to harm causes sickness and pain to the person intending to harm the other person.  Doctor’s offices and hospitals are full of patients that are bitter and angry because someone hurt them and they refuse to forgive and let go of the hurt and go on with their lives.

I realize that it is not fun to be offended by someone, especially by a relative or a good friend.  I have been hurt in and out of church many times over the years and I have chosen to forgive.  I have also hurt others and for that I am sorry and have repented.  You take a chance of being offended and hurt by a stranger every single day you go out of your house, it is inevitable that it will happen sometime.  You might as well prepare yourself for it, so it doesn’t end in bitterness and unforgiveness.  

Some ways that will help you in this battle:

1. Take it to the Lord right away before it can fester and develop bitterness within you and tell Him that you choose to forgive and ask Him to help you to forgive from the heart and to love the person who offended you.

2. Start praying for the person, that the Lord would bless them.

3. Think about what this verse says in Ephesians 6:12, “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”  People are tempted and influenced by satan, even people that are in the church.  The battle rages daily, I know because I have felt the effects of it for a long time.  Jesus was a great example of this; He was lied about, slandered, beaten and crucified, but before He died He said, “Father forgive them for they know not what they do.”

4. Remember this; if you don’t forgive from the heart, you will not be forgiven.

5. Read this in Matthew 5:43-48, “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? If you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”

There is far too much to risk, to let ourselves be burdened down with unforgiveness, so if you are in this situation, do the right thing and release the offender and yourself by choosing to forgive.  Enough said, I hope you will do the right thing.  May God bless you and yours and have a great day!!