Hurts and wounds lodged within can poison us not only emotionally but physically and in other ways. Hurts within us can also poison those around us.
Hurts and wounds occur when we are wronged, when things don’t play out as we had hoped, or when we are misunderstood. Someone spreads a rumor or speaks negatively about us, we feel pressured to be something, we are mistreated or offended… There are many scenarios. Hurt affects us all at some point or another.
Do you realize that even after the hurt is over and we think we have moved on, that emotional pain can continue to poison us and those around us? Hurts not properly dealt with can poison us with lies and wrong beliefs. They can alter our perception of life, reality, ourselves, the Church, and even God.
Unforgiveness and bitterness, hopelessness and disappointment. These and more can keep us from opening our hearts to God and others. They can hold us back from pursuing our dreams by perpetuating fear that hurt or disappointment will happen again and again in our lives. And when unforgiveness, disappointment, or other life-draining substances overshadow our lives, we are affected whether we think we are or not. Our ability to love and receive love is often affected, at times without our consciousness of it.
Hurt can also extend into poisoning others. This could be through a loved one taking on our offense as well, or we release it by expressing our hurt-driven opinions on social media and blogs or to friends, family, and colleagues. Now not only is our perception negatively affected but we have passed this one to others as well. At times we blame others, the Body of Christ, ourselves or God.
Not one of us is perfect. Only God is perfect. Jesus gave Himself for all of us, flaws and all, knowing that we would fail in our love for Him and others at times. This is why He, the only perfect One, had to be the one to pay the price. We must remember to give each other grace and seek to love as Father God has loved us. Love covers sin, it doesn’t expose it.
“Above all things have intense and unfailing love for one another, for love covers a multitude of sins [forgives and disregards the offenses of others].” (1 Peter 4:8 AMPC).
If you are having a hard time showing love, spend time with Jesus and meditate on His love. As you do this consistently, you will watch in amazement as you are transformed into one who is growing in loving as God loves by the power of His Holy Spirit.
In our struggles with woundedness, we must seek to avoid poisoning others against God or others. When we poison those around us, it can hinder them from coming to know Jesus in salvation, keep them from continuing in fellowship with the Body, or cause them to isolate themselves from the safety that comes when we are together versus a lamb alone in a field full of wolves. We must not spread our opinions and misinterpretations based on the things we have suffered instead of opening up to God’s healing, asking Him to show us the truth and help us release forgiveness.
Do not allow hurt suffered to poison you, your life, or others any longer. Do not let fear keep you from seeking out Holy Spirit-led help, wisdom, and counsel. Ask God to reveal any lie you are believing and then ask Jesus, who is the Truth, for the truth to combat the lie. Forgive all who have wronged you, not matter how badly. Not forgiving someone does nothing to them, but it leaves you wounded and open to great torment.
When you forgive, emotional and sometimes even physical healing is just on the other side of that choice. Even if you don’t feel it, choose as an act of your will to forgive, asking God to help bring the rest of you into alignment with that decision of freedom.
We aren’t called to go it alone. We aren’t called to quit because we think things should be different. We are called to an intimate relationship with Jesus where our hearts begin to reflect His character more and more to those around us. When we allow wounds to go unhealed, we clog up our ability to reveal God’s heart.
As we seek Him, being willing to admit we may not have everything right is a sign of humility and meekness, as we willingly ask God, “Is this really how it is, Lord?” then, if we are open to it, He will show us the truth and the truth will set us free. He will heal our hearts and set us free from every lie, ungodly belief, wrong perception or miscommunication.
Remember and receive the truth of God’s Word, “But He gives us more and more grace (power of the Holy Spirit, to meet this evil tendency and all others fully). That is why He says, God sets Himself against the proud and haughty, but gives grace [continually] to the lowly (those who are humble enough to receive it)“ (James 4:6 AMPC)
He wants you whole. He wants you healed. He wants us in unity together in Him, rooted and grounded in His love. Come to Jesus who offers all you need and more, the One who heals, sets free, and forgives.
Inspiring Passion for Jesus Christ 