Hurtin’ and longin’ for hope to return? Even a smidgen of hope.

Do yourself (..and others) zero harm. 

Q: Have you had to put up with a bit of evil or weirdness from people you really cared about? Are you still hurting now.. some? God can comfort you and restore what seems unrestorable. Put your hope in Him.

So many broken people.. some broken from other people or by the changing circumstances of life. Not all, many broken by self and their own sin. But thankfully our Message and Master never change. That's why we have this Gospel to boldly share! 

Someone tells a lie about you... resulting in you losing your job or gettin’ kicked out of school. Slander is wicked. 

A person you love hurts you ..smashes your heart on the pavement under their boots.. either emotionally or physically. Did your gf or bf or bff sucker-punch you in the gut? 

Was it business partner who did that? Yikes, someone you trusted steals from you, and you are the one who must pay for it ..cuz you know the bills ain't going away.

Originally posted by wildnloose

A family member, friend, neighbor, or co-worker hurts you deeply.. perhaps physically or emotionally. They really acted like a jerk -- words cannot describe how you feel perhaps. Sorry about that! Hey Buckeroo, Jesus commands us in Matthew 18:15-20 to seek reconciliation with this person (and I don’t mean chase after them), and inside your heart ..forgive them (verses 21-22).  

That doesn’t mean you need to go to them and tell them you’ve done that. Sometimes that might be in order if they ask or want you to. Purpose in your heart not to grow hard-hearted, or hate em. Jesus said love your enemies, so He knows how to help us love.  

Remember, forgiving the one who hurt you is never about feelings that are against the idea, it’s only about our choice to release to God what was done to us... and never hold it against that person again. Forgiving does not mean we must remain in a place where personal harm can continue. It only means we give all justice in this matter to God alone. It really doesn’t absolve the offender from the consequences or from justice.. especially if they broke the law.

Me thinks.. start with judging self and personal inner motives first -- your part in it... if you have a part in it. After personal confession and repentance comes hope. Need some of that? Try to focus today on what is hopeful and favorable. “Finally, my friends, keep your minds on whatever is true, pure, right, holy, friendly, and proper. Don’t ever stop thinking about what is truly worthwhile and worthy of praise.” (Philippians 4:8) True faith continues to take God at His word. “If we are not faithful, he will still be faithful. Christ cannot deny who he is.” (2 Timothy 2:13) 

God hears our cry and cares about our pain. Our pain is not continuing because He has forgotten us; it continues because He has a plan for what is happening. His plan is that everyone repents and trusts Him for salvation – 2 Peter 3:9. Jesus suffered much injustice here on earth because His suffering demonstrated the evil of sin. People who thought they were doing right according to their ways hurt Him, showing how things WE think are right for may be evil. 

God hears our cry and cares about our pain. Our pain is not continuing because He has forgotten us; it continues because He has a plan for what is happening. His plan is that everyone repents and trusts Him for salvation – 2 Peter 3:9. Jesus suffered much injustice here on earth because His suffering demonstrated the evil of sin. People who thought they were doing right according to their ways hurt Him, showing how things WE think are right for may be evil.

God’s power can be revealed in and through us. Our personal suffering has a wonderful and powerful purpose in God’s kingdom, just as Jesus’ suffering did. His suffering made a way for us to come to Him. Our suffering lights the way He made for people around us. How?

When we rejoice in our suffering (Matthew 5:10-12) others around us see how different we are, and are amazed that someone could truly experience joy in time of suffering.

There is great power in forgiveness! Try to remember how you felt inside when God forgave you your own sin.The promises of God in the Bible can help us regain hope and peace. 

He has given us many promises that bring us hope and joy even in the middle of our suffering. One of the great promises is from Romans 8:18 - “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.” God has promised His children that He will not leave us to suffer judgment when He comes to judge this world: Romans 5:9 says, “Since, therefore, we have now been justified by His blood, much more shall we be saved by Him from the wrath of God.” Other verses, such as 1 Thessalonians 1:9-10; 5:9; and Revelation 3:10 give us this same promise – He will call us to His side (John 14:1-3) before the time of His judgment comes to earth (see Revelation 6).

Who never suffers? Who never needs forgiveness? I don’t know anyone, except Jesus. 

Those of the world have troubles that work against them, but we in Christ have trials that .. work for us as we pray.. as we keep our hearts and focus right. Suffering is never pleasant, but we can rejoice it in because we believe His promises that He will not only use our suffering for His kingdom, He will make our suffering into good for us. Great hope is ours, in Him, that our suffering is never without eternal purpose!

Those who tell you Christians with faith never suffer.. lie. Don’t listen to the false teachers with their diamond pinky-rings and jets. Paul and Barnabas were real and understood what the pain was like. The Bible says, “Then they returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch, strengthening the souls of the disciples and encouraging them to continue in the faith. ‘We must endure many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,” they said.’”  Acts 14:22 

Perhaps you are doing really good today and aren't in a trial now. Enjoy that while you can, and purpose to pray (early) for those around you that really hurt (I tend to forget sometimes if I don't pray for them right there on the spot). God loves you and He also has a ministry plan for you. Employ those gifts He freely gave you -- fulfill your calling by His power.  

Broken inside? Don't know where to turn or how to begin pickin' up the pieces of your existence. 

Through many tribulations we must enter in. Would you pray something like this...

Dear God, Seems like too long--been hurting and now feelin’ a bit desperate inside. Rad-understatement. I know trials don’t last forever. Need a change in me.. and around me. Really trying not to be caught off guard this time by trials, testings, temptations and turbulence. Not likin’ this tribulation station. Been scared and frustrated -- got some needs. Hard work is good, but been tempted to take matters in my own hands. Been groping for solutions.. in vain it seems like. Please forgive and help me -- make me blessable. Touch my heart and mind. Lord Jesus, it has been quite a week really. I turn and choose to worship You -- I’ve decided to forgive people too. Yeah, I release ____ to you cuz you know it all anyways. Those who have hurt me, I give em over to you to deal with. Want em saved cuz you saved me. I know I cannot forgive in my own strength, so I ask for Your help to do this. Please use and make me more like You today. Thanks Lord. Amen. 

Mark 10:30 - will fail to receive a hundredfold in the present age--houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and fields, along with persecutions--and to receive eternal life in the age to come.

Acts 9:16 - I will show him how much he must suffer for My name. 

John 15:18 - If the world hates you, understand that it hated Me first.

John 15:20 - Remember the word that I spoke to you: 'No servant is greater than his master.' If they persecuted Me, they will persecute you as well; if they kept My word, they will keep yours as well.

John 16:33 - I have told you these things so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take courage; I have overcome the world!

Acts 6:7 - So the word of God continued to spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem grew rapidly, and a great number of priests became obedient to the faith. Facebook.com/shareJesus