Day Nine & Ten

As we go throughout our lives we will, at times, have someone hurt us.  It could be emotional or physical and sometimes both.  When we hold on to these things and not turn it over to the Lord, it can damage us for the rest of our lives.  It develops into unforgiveness.  This will hinder your relationship with God.  You must come to a place where you can turn the hurt over to the Lord.  Cast your cares upon Him.  When you hold on to these things, every time you see that person, anger and resentment come flowing to the surface.  You may find yourself avoiding the person altogether.  That in turn gives them power over you.  That is something you do not want.

We all go through this in our life and we must learn how to overcome it.  Don't let the past control you.  It won't be easy but God will give you the grace needed to be victorious.  

Also, don't forget, none of us are perfect so you have hurt people too.  So many times we hurt the people we are the closest to.  We say things we shouldn't or we might have done things we regret.  If possible, apologize to them.  Ask them to forgive you.  These next two days, search your heart and ask the Lord if you are holding on to unforgiveness or if you have hurt someone and ask Him how to deal with it.

This will let all of that bitterness out of your heart and you will begin to heal.  It will change your life.  Bitterness will over time make you sick not just emotionally but physically as well.  If bitterness goes unchecked it will turn into hate.

The bottom line is people hurt people and it is a shame but it is a part of life.  Your mind is a lot like a hard drive.  You need to send that junk to the recycle bin and delete it once and for all.  You may never forget the hurt but God will heal you and restore you.  Sometimes the hardest person to forgive is ourselves when we make a mistake.  Forgive, love, and respect yourself.  Remember God forgives you, loves you, and respects you because you are His child. 

References:

Matthew 6:14 (New International Version)

¹⁴For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.

Psalm 69:14 (New International Version)

 ¹⁴ Rescue me from the mire,
       do not let me sink;
       deliver me from those who hate me,
       from the deep waters.

1 John 2:9 (New International Version)

 ⁹Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates his brother is still in the darkness.

1 John 4:20 (New International Version)

²⁰If anyone says, "I love God," yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen.