Others Will Hurt Us
There has to be something said about when we are hurt by the words or actions of others. That pain is something that each one of us has to deal with at one time or another. Sometimes our hurts can be based off of presumptions and half-truths. Raise your hand if this sounds like you (raises hand).
This week when choosing my feature from the Salt & Light Linkup a post by Rachel Lee from Be Thee Inspired stopped my heart dead in it’s tracks. How good it is to know that we serve a God who bridges the gaps and crosses the divides. Jesus’ example is that of unfaltering, unwavering love, even to the point of loving tax collectors and prostitutes when no one else would. The best part is He shows us how to love others like He does.
Many of us are Hurt
After reading this post the topic was at the forefront of my mind, then fast-forward to Sunday service and guess what the topic is on? The very same thing (okay God you have my attention).
Something struck me when taking in a second dose on the topic of loving the unlovely. As most of us congregates nodded in unison about having to deal with those who have hurt us, a question arose in my heart. How many times have I been the one who is hurting others? If I’m being completely honest I can be the unlovely one (just ask my Husband and kids).
We Hurt others too…
The truth is that as each of us seeks out a way to better handle those who hurt us, we should also be willing to address the fact that we are sometimes the unlovely. We can make it pretty difficult for others to love us.
Yes, that means all of us.
If we are willing to reassess the situation from an imperfect place, hurts might be resolved more quickly.
How to handle the Hurt
How much grace are we are willing to extend to others when we are coming from a place of hurt? If we are willing to forgive and love a person who is causing our spirit to grieve, how much more will my Father extend grace to us?
“Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.”
Colossians 3:13 NLT
Did you catch it? The verse above says you MUST forgive others. It isn’t negotiable.
“…Forgive others, and you will be forgiven”
Luke 6:37 NLT
Today as you examine the subject of loving the unlovely, please be ready to do some self-examining and lots of forgiving.
We must forgive others, it isn't negotiable #saltandlightgroup #saltandlightlinkup @betheeinspired Share on X
I tried not to let it bother me, but the truth is, it did.
It was recently brought to our attention that some not-so-nice things were being said about our family, by someone that we once called a friend.
It shouldn’t have surprised me.
We had suspected that this was the case. Rumors have a way of making their way back to the person they’re targeting, after all. Yet being privy to this fact, didn’t make the arrow sting any less.
>>>Continue reading “Learning To Love The Unlovely”
Great perspective Natalie. I too agree, when we take ownership for our part it it helps escalate the restoration process.
Yes friend! It isn’t easy but it’s certainly necessary.
Awesome thoughts. That Colossians passage always smacks me right between the eyes!
Oh my goodness, yes! Thank you so much for stopping in Sarah and for encouraging me with your presence : )
Great point about the verse TELLING us to forgive, not asking or suggesting. Sometimes it is so hard, but we are called to do it.
Yes, it might be one of the hardest things we do since forgiveness when we are hurt goes against our sinful grain. We have the human desire within us to fight. God says give it to Him to handle, and He will.
I love the verse “Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.”
Colossians 3:13 It’s so important to forgive! I see so much hurt in churches– the one place hurt should not live. If you don’t learn to forgive, you inevitably only hurt your own self. And how can I not forgive when I have been forgiven so very much?! Great post! Thanks for posting.
Being told to forgive, rather than been suggested…. yes! That’s so true. That’s really important, and I need to do some reflecting on that. Thank you for sharing this truth.
Love and blessings x