Ouch!

Have you ever gone through a painful fight with a friend? Has someone hurt your feelings so badly that you just wanted to crawl in a hole and stay there for a while until the pain subsided? I think we've all been there! And OUCH doesn't begin to describe the emotional pain of being hurt on the inside.

If someone throws a ball and it hits you on the head, you put ice on it and you eventually feel better and forget all about it. But when someone hurts your feelings, sometimes time makes the pain stronger; more evident. Almost like it's being permanently scarred by the memories.

Sometimes, the situation is an easy fix. It's a simple "I'm sorry" waiting on a conversation that needs to be initiated. But other times, it was so bad that you just can't shake it! The hurt was so unexpected, so "left-field", that when it hit, it took you by surprise, shook you in ways you didn't know you could be shaken, and now, you can't seem to shake the pain away. And you can't find it in you to initiate the easy-fix conversation. Because you know in your heart of hearts that it won't be enough.

Well friend, that's when you have to give it to the Lord! Sounds cliché? Yeah, I guess it does. But it is so true! Sometimes we don't have it in us to let stuff go. You wanna feel better about it? Think about the fact that Jesus was punished, insulted, accused and slaughtered for things he NEVER did. We all know why he did it. For us! To forgive us so we could inherit His kingdom and everlasting life!

Jesus wants us to forgive. But He also has grace for us when we can't. He wants to heal us of the pain. He want to shut the wound without any scar tissue left behind. Sealed forever with his blood.

It might take time to feel that complete healing. So during that time, there is a difficult chore that we must do. Whenever we feel that pain and want to cry or shout at the injustice that we felt, we need to bless the situation or the person that might have caused it. We need to pray for them and pray blessings over them. Especially when we don't feel like it. And let me tell you, it will be HARD!!! You won't feel like it. But there is so much freedom in doing this. You will be pleasing God and through that you will allow Him to begin a work in your heart. You won't regret it! I promise!

So, be encouraged! Remember that His grace is SUFFICIENT! Don't beat yourself up if you are having a hard time letting it go. Be sure to continually give it to Him and don't carry that unforgiveness by yourself. And He will help you lay it down, heal your pain and truly forgive for good!

Love,

Emille