Healing Of Our Hurts

by Laurie Glass

What do you do with your hurts? Do you keep them hidden in the deep chambers of your heart? Are you afraid to speak of them lest others think less of you? Do you allow them to fester and grow so they hurt you even more?

Any of these reactions are common when it comes to the hurts we face, be we don’t have to remain stuck in any of them. There is hope for healing of our hurts.

Sometimes our hurts are rather small and we reason that they shouldn’t bother us so much and, therefore, we don’t address them. But what can we do after time passes and they’re still there?

This is a time to examine why something seemingly so small bothers us so much. Perhaps it reminds us, in some way, of a larger hurt we’ve endured, or maybe it originated from someone who has already hurt us several times.

When you look at the hurt from a different perspective, then you can address it more effectively. All the while, remember that the Lord understands why this bothers you so much and He stands ready to lead you through it and heal your heart.

What about the larger hurts? What if you’ve been used, abused or betrayed? What if you can’t even find the words to verbalize what happened to you?

First of all, know that God loves you no matter what has happened to you and He doesn’t want to see what’s happened hurt you any longer. If you aren’t sure how to even talk to Him, why not simply rest in His presence at first. You can picture yourself sitting on His lap. Maybe you can even see Him holding your hand or stroking your hair. As you remain close to Him, trust that the words will come.

You may also need to talk to a pastor, counselor or mentor to work through your hurts. This may be really hard to do at first, but the alternative of keeping it in and having it hurt you even more isn’t any easier in the long run. You may be surprised at how talking to someone about what happened will help you to release the hurt associated with it. The person you’ve shared with can then help you know what to do with your feelings and can also assure you of God’s love and healing touch.

Remember, no situation you’ve experienced is too large and no hurt goes too deep beyond what Jesus can understand. He was mocked, ridiculed, beaten and crucified. He can relate to what we’re going through as we see in Heb. 4:15, “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are – yet was without sin.”

Yes, he was God, but since we were made in God’s image and we have emotions, we also know that Jesus had emotions. He can, therefore, empathize with what we’re feeling. Sometimes we let our hurts cause us to sin, but He didn’t. You can trust Him with your hurts so He can help and heal you.

As you allow your hurts to surface and bring them to the Lord so He can heal your heart, keep the following verses from the book of Psalms close at hand. Cling to them as if they were your lifeline.

“God, I called out to you for help and you healed me.” Ps. 30:2

“The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles.” Ps. 34:17

“The Lord helps them and delivers them; he delivers them from the wicked and saves them, because they take refuge in him.” Ps. 37:40

“Trust in him at all times, O people, pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.” Ps. 62:8

Remember that God is interested in every detail of your life. Whether it’s big or small doesn’t matter to Him. As your heavenly Father, He doesn’t want you to continue hurting over what’s happened. His power to heal your heart is always available to you.

Be gentle with yourself and give yourself time. Give God time to walk you through the healing process, revealing realities of the situation to you along with His truth as you are ready for them. Lay your hurts before Him and you’ll be amazed at the healing work He will do.

What are some ways you’ve healed from your hurts? What are some scriptures that have helped you during the healing process?


Comments:


Forgiveness
by: Kathryn McKinney

"What are some ways you’ve healed from your hurts? What are some scriptures that have helped you during the healing process?"
Healing came for me when I was able to see that only Jesus could understand my hurt. There was a time in my life when I was very hurt. The person that hurt me could not fully - deeply understand how they had hurt me - therefore the hurt could not fully go away no matter how that person said they were sorry or tried to make up for it. Sometimes they could not even see how I came to the point of being hurt at all. This time for me was the darkest time in my life because it was when I learned to fully forgive because they truly didn't know what they were doing. I realized this while watching the movie, The Passion of The Christ. As I watched Jesus live with his hurts of rejection, judgment and unkindness I realized that only Jesus could understand my pain as deeply as I needed to be understood. This is where I learned to forgive because He did. His words were, "Father forgive them for they know not what they do." I felt it was the same with me and even those I have hurt. I cannot ever fully understand the depth of someone's heart with whom I have hurt...not how they feel the pain. Only Christ can. Now I see through the eyes of the Spirit and forgive through the heart of Christ...at least to the best of my ability in my humanity. In the spirit I love over the hurt... because Jesus loved me.

Beating The Blahs

by Laurie Glass

Do you ever just feel blah? You aren’t actually depressed and yet joy eludes you. Perhaps you feel restless or stuck. Maybe you even feel a bit stagnant spiritually. How can you beat the blahs?

For starters, think back to when you started feeling blah. Was there an event that put you on edge in some way and you aren’t passed it yet? If so, take this opportunity to pray and follow God’s lead in resolving the issue. You may even wish to seek some type of counsel about the matter.

Once you’ve addressed the cause, you can take the next step. Or perhaps you can’t think of anything that brought on the blahs, but they’re real to you nonetheless. What can you do? Let’s look at how developing an attitude of gratitude, having a good laugh, giving to others and encouraging others can help you feel better again.

•Developing an attitude of gratitude is a great way to beat the blahs. I Thess. 5:18 says, “Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” Instead of dwelling on what you don’t have, be grateful for what you do have. Try writing down three things every day for which you are grateful. Developing an attitude of gratitude will help you refocus and should give you a lift.

•There’s nothing like having a good laugh to beat the blahs. “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.” Prov. 17:22 Watch your favorite funny movie or TV show. Call a friend who always seems to make you laugh. You may even want to buy a clean joke book. Make it a point to laugh every day, and you might be surprised at how much better you feel.

•Giving to others can help you beat the blahs. Think of that ministry you intended to donate to, but never got around to it. Or clean out your closets and donate some nice yet no longer used items to a ministry or charity. “In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remember the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” Act. 20:35 There’s joy in giving to others.

•Encourage others to beat the blahs. Reach out to someone with a kind word or action. “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” Gal. 6:2 Send a card or give a small gift to someone who’s going through a tough time. Offer to listen, to pray, or to get the person out for a break from current troubles. Offer to babysit, run errands or help with household tasks for someone who’s overwhelmed with circumstances and could use a boost. When you encourage others, you get your mind off yourself.

Developing an attitude of gratitude and making it a point to laugh every day will leave little room for the blahs. Getting your mind off of yourself by giving to and encouraging others should help send the blahs on their way.

What are some things that help you beat the blahs?


Comments:


Great suggestions!
by: Lynn Mosher

Laurie, Great suggestions! My favorite is always praise! It does more than we can ever imagine!



by: Beth

Laurie, you've taught me how to "beat the blahs" by example! I've been encouraged over and over by watching you navigate the ups and downs of your own life, and by receiving your consistently supportive comments as I navigated my own. :-)



by: Valora Otis

I loved this article. It was right on target. I have often found laughter and singing to be the best medicine for the "blahs". I thought this article was very uplifting. Thanks for writing it!
Valora



by: Denise Mistich

Excellent advice for all to follow.



by: Shirley Peter

Thank you for sharing with us. These are all wonderful ideas and they work. Shirley.



by: Lynn Mosher

Laurie, You gave some great points on dissolving the blahs. My favorite one is praise. I'm glad to see you listed it first, for I think it is our first line of defense. Good job!

Be There For Others

by Laurie Glass

What do you say or do when someone you know is struggling? Are you ready to pray, listen and encourage or do you feel at a loss for words? Do you find yourself doing nothing when you sense you should reach out with a kind word or a thoughtful action?

God tells us in Gal. 6:2 that we’re to be there for others. “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” Within the body of Christ, this is how we’re supposed to function – by being there for others. Among other ways, God uses us to lend a hand to others when they’re overwhelmed, encourage them when they’re down and pray for them when they need God’s strength and guidance the most.

Many believe they should carry each other’s burdens, but not everyone practices it. One of the first steps in being there for others is to eliminate excuses. Here are three common ones that need to go.

• I’m busy. Who isn’t? Granted, we may have times when we can’t squeeze in one more thing. However, for much of the time, most of us can make the time to obey God and be there for others. What does it say to the person who is hurting if we aren’t willing to take a little time out of our day to bless them in some way during a time when they need others the most?

• I have things going on in my own life. This may be true and on occasion a person is simply empty and needs to be on the receiving end. On the other hand, we can often be there for others even in the midst of our own struggles. In fact, sometimes we’re blessed by putting our own needs aside for a bit and getting our minds off of our own problems to be there for someone else.

• I don’t know what to say. Does that mean the person with a need should just be left to sit and rot? Look at it as an opportunity for God to speak through you. When we step out of our comfort zone, we can rely on the Lord to lead us. Not only are we there for someone else, but we also grow in the process.

Our excuses are pretty self-centered when you think about it. Instead of focusing on someone else’s needs and feelings, we’re making the situation about us. In the meantime, what does this do for the person who needs some help in bearing their burdens?

Once we eliminate excuses, then what? What does it mean to be there for others? What can we do for our sisters in Christ?

Of course, the first thing we can do is obvious and that is to pray. It’s great to care, but we need to put our concerns into prayers. To go to the Lord on behalf of a sister in Christ is a beautiful and powerful thing. Not only that, we can pray asking the Lord to show us how we can be there for her.

Next, consider her personality. What type of approach is comfortable for her? Some women appreciate hugs and being able to share their emotions with someone else. Other women are more private, but would treasure time alone and could use help with practical matters in order to free up needed quiet time. Let’s look at some things we can do for our sisters in Christ.

• Offer to listen to her and to pray with her. Validate her feelings and assure her of God’s love and healing touch.

• Help her make a list of what she needs to have done. Organize a schedule so several people can help in some way. Let her know you’ll take care of the phone calls and arrangements necessary so she will receive the help she needs.

• If she has children, offer to baby-sit, pick up her kids from school or have them over at your house for an afternoon or overnight.

• If she lives alone, offer to stay a night with her.

• Cook meals or run errands for her.

• Send a card. If what she’s facing is a sensitive issue and you’re unsure of what to write in it, say you’re sorry to hear about her difficult situation and she’s in your thoughts and prayers. Or, find a card that puts your sentiments into words.

• Buy a small gift that shows you care. Does she collect something? What are her favorite colors? Is there a craft item you make? If you write, you can share a devotional, article, poem or story with her. Just make sure that the gift fits her taste even if it isn’t something that you would prefer.

• Give her a book on the topic she’s facing. In her own time, she can glean needed principles to aid her in working through her difficulties.

Remember to focus on the needs and feelings of your sister in Christ. Pray for her and let her know that you care. Eliminate excuses and trust God to show you how you can best be there for her. Embrace the opportunity for God to use you to be there for others.

What are some ways you’ve been there for others or they’ve been there for you?


Comments:


The comfort zone
by: Katherine Harms

You really hit the mark when you said that we need to step out of our comfort zone to help others. I really need that advice. I tie myself in knots over what to say and what to do. You remind me that I need to just do something. Be a friend.
When I am honest, I have to say that people who have come to me in my hour of need have never offended me by anything they chose to do. No matter how small or how silly, it always seemed wonderful. When I was struggling, any act of kindness seemed like kindness, and didn't analyze it. But I analyze my own acts for others completely to death. Thank you for this very important reminder just to be a friend.



by: Anonymous

LOVE IT! This is a concise "how-to" on encouragement. Nicely written, and very practical. Thank you!



by: Denise

Thank you for the reminder. A simple smile from a cashier at the market saved my life one dark (suicidal) day! I need to spend more time paying it forward!



by: Shirley Peter

This is wonderful. It should be copied and distributed to all Christians. God bless. Shirley.



by: Lynn Mosher

Laurie, Forgive me. Somehow I missed this. Thank you for reminding us to be others-centered rather than self-centered, to be caring and compassionate. Very nicely said.

Overcome Discouragement

by Laurie Glass

We all have times in our lives when it seems that one thing after another goes wrong. A vehicle or appliance breaks down at a particularly bad time. We experience conflicts in our relationships that leave us feeling hurt, confused, angry or betrayed. Someone close to us faces a serious illness or dies and we feel helpless. We have serious problems at work and wonder how we can ever resolve things or even lose that job and face months of being unemployed and question how we’ll manage financially. There may be serious problems in the church that get us down, cause us to distrust other Christians or even question some things about God.

It’s only natural that we would feel discouraged when things like these happen. From inconveniences and hassles to weighty issues, we’re left feeling stressed and sometimes completely spent.

But regardless, if we can see it or feel it, we need to cling to what is always there and that is hope. As we trust the One who is in control, we know there is hope in any situation. Whether things unfold the way we think they should or the way that seems best for everyone involved, we can trust His wisdom. He can see far beneath what we can see in others and He knows the future, so with Him leading, we can’t go wrong. We, therefore, have hope to overcome discouragement.

When circumstances are overwhelming, you can always rely on the Lord. Remember, you have access to His power. “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us…” Eph. 3:20 In His power, you can overcome discouragement. Here are some ways to dig your way out.

• Take your shovel and dig back into the past a bit. Do this with the purpose of remembering the ways God has worked in your heart and your life in the past. Recall the seemingly impossible situations where He intervened and the positive things that resulted.

• Use your shovel to dig into the future. Realize that in the following months, what you’re facing right now will likely be history. Even if the situation is still there, it may change from what it is now and you may be stronger in facing it. The idea here, though, is to realize this is one period of time in your life that will eventually pass.

• Shovel responsibilities into two separate piles. One pile will be things that you can do. With God’s leading, do what you can to help or to remedy the situation. The other pile will be the things that only God can do. Lift your hands off of what is His work to do. There’s no one in the world you can trust like you can trust Him.

• Dig out the things in your life for which you’re grateful and take time to focus on them. Be thankful for the wonderful and positive things in your life, yes. Then you can also be grateful for the other bad things that haven’t happened or that the discouraging things that have happened weren’t any worse.

• Get out your Bible and dig out His promises. They’re all through God’s Word ready for the claiming. Here are a few to get you started, but look on your own, too, and see where God leads you.

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” Phil. 4:6-7

“If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.” James 1:5

“Come near to God and he will come near to you.” James 4:8

“We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.” II Cor. 4:8

Be gentle with yourself. Don’t beat yourself up for getting discouraged over your circumstances. Just start from where you are, get out your shovel, and in God’s strength, start digging so you can overcome discouragement.

With Him in control, you’ll come out stronger, no matter how the circumstances unfold. See your situation as a way to draw closer to Him and as an opportunity for Him to show you His power, strength and healing in a way you’re never before experienced. You’ll certainly be glad you did.

What are some ways God has helped you to overcome discouragement?


Comments:


Thank You
by: diana

I have no other words than- THANKS to GOD. May GOD bless ur service



by: Anonymous

What a wonderful article this is! Has helped me to think of discouragement in a different light--an opportunity to see how God can change a hopeless and sad situation, to one of glory and hope...



by: Anonymous

Laurie,

What wonderful and true words you write! Discouragement can be such a negative force in one's life and you gave excellent ways in which to come out of it...

I was feeling down today but reading your words, has helped immensely!

Keep writing; for you will help many..




by: Lynn Mosher

Laurie, Great analogy. Sometimes, it does seem to take a shovel to dig out of the junk that piles up around us. Great advice!




by: SHIRLEY PETER

THIS IS GREAT AND I INTEND TO SHARE IT WITH FRIENDS BY SENDING THE URL TO THIS SITE. THANKS FOR SHARING. SHIRLEY.

Experience God's Grace

by Laurie Glass

You may have heard the phrases, “by God’s grace,” or “but for the grace of God, there go I”. You may have also heard grace defined as “unmerited favor” or “receiving something we don’t deserve”. What do these phrases and definitions really mean?

Many of us have heard the word grace a lot, but do we focus on how we’ve experienced God’s grace in our own lives? I’d like to share with you two particular times when I experienced God’s grace in my own life.

When I was a teenager, I was concerned about my soul. Convinced that I would go to hell if I died, I wondered what I could do about it. I began attending a church that answered that very question.

I learned that Jesus died on the cross for my sins and that if I confessed my sins to Him, and accepted Him into my heart as my personal Savior, He would grant me forgiveness as well as eternal life in heaven. I had a hard time, though, getting it through my head that I didn’t have to work for this enormous gift.

It took time for the truth of Eph. 2:8-9 to sink in, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.”

One night, the Holy Spirit got through to me and helped me see that there was no earning eternal life. As I prayed and accepted Christ into my heart, I experienced God’s grace.

After that, I read about His grace in the Bible, and I heard about His grace in church, but I don’t remember a time that I experienced it in such a significant way until several years later.

There was a time in my life when I was just plain spent. I’d been sick for several years, but the doctors didn’t know why, and I was physically drained. This also took a toll on me emotionally as did being there for others repeatedly, but receiving little or nothing in return.

Plus I’d been through several changes in direction in my life and then when more losses and disappointments came, I crumbled. I felt alone, burned out, and clueless about the future. I couldn’t believe what all had happened beyond my control. I’d trusted God with my life for so many years and regardless of the confidence I had that I’d followed His lead, it seemed that He was letting everything fall apart at once and I couldn’t understand why.

I tried going to the Lord and asking others for support. But when I received only silence in response to my pleas, I reached elsewhere for comfort. I began restricting my food intake in an attempt to control at least one thing in my life. Although I didn’t take it seriously at first, it didn’t take long to find myself caught in anorexia. Then I knew I wasn’t controlling anything, but that the eating disorder was controlling me.

Over time, I was able to hear the Lord again. Looking back, I don’t believe He was actually silent when I called on Him, but that it was an attack of Satan blocking me from hearing the Lord’s voice. At the time, though, I didn’t see it that way, and I was mad at God. I felt that He let all of these bad things happen and then abandoned me. So once I could hear Him speaking to me again, I resisted Him.

He continued to pursue me, telling me He loved me and making His presence real to me when I least expected it. It took time before I was ready to talk to Him again, and even then, I was reserved at first. But He was unbelievably patient, and we eventually became close again.

Even after enjoying a closer relationship with the Lord, I wasn’t ready to let Him in completely and help me fight the eating disorder. I was afraid that He would take it away from me. In time, when I was finally willing to let go of anorexia, I did ask Him to lead me and heal me. At that point, it didn’t take long until He freed me of the eating disorder.

Here I’d been mad at God, resisted Him when He tried to draw me close to Himself, kept Him at arm’s length when His strength was mine for the asking – and yet, when I was finally ready to let Him do His work, He lovingly and willingly did just that. After the way I’d treated Him, I deserved no better than for Him to turn His back on me. I didn’t for one minute deserve His help and His healing. Again, I experienced God’s grace.

Now when I think about grace, it has a new meaning for me. I don’t have a new definition for it, I’m not writing a book about it, but I can share how I experienced God’s grace in my life. It’s my hope that my story will touch someone out there and give that person hope of experiencing this same grace. God certainly has enough of it to go around.

What are some ways you’ve experienced God’s grace in your life?

Getting Passed That Pesky Guilt

by Laurie Glass

We know from reading God’s Word, that if we approach the Lord with a sincere heart and confess our sin to Him, He will forgive us. Yet we sometimes struggle with feeling guilty even after we’ve settled things with the Lord.

Many of us can relate to having some particular sin we continue to commit and struggle to refrain from it. We’ve confessed many times in hopes of getting a handle on it and yet we can’t seem to shake the guilt. We end up feeling stuck and wonder how we’ll ever break loose from this recurring sin and resulting guilt.

Perhaps you can relate. Maybe you have certain thoughts or behaviors that you know aren’t right, but you haven’t found a way to stop them. You end up feeling so badly about yourself that you just wallow in your guilt.

You’ve seen for yourself, though, that putting yourself down doesn’t help you quit what you’re doing and it doesn’t help you draw closer to the Lord.

What can you do? How about trying to get your focus off of your own mistakes and onto God’s work in your heart and becoming more like Him?

To get you started, here are some suggestions to help you leave the guilt behind and move forward.

1. Cling to the promise found in I John 1:9. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” Not only does He forgive you, but He purifies you, giving you a fresh start. See His forgiveness as a way He has cleaned out your heart and made more room for Him.

2. Accept God’s forgiveness. Realize that He wants you to accept His loving gift. If you do this, there won’t be room for self degradation.

3. Ask the Lord to help you understand what draws you to the sin. Instead of feeling frustrated that you keep doing the same thing over again, get to the root of the problem and address it.

4. Make some practical changes in your life in order to distance yourself from the temptations you find so hard to resist.

5. Do some specific Bible studies to help strengthen you in the area/areas where you are vulnerable.

6. Consider talking with a counselor, pastor, or accountability partner to assist you in breaking out of the cycle of habitual sin with its lingering guilt and instead making choices that will make you more like Him. Remember that God has forgiven you.

In addition, He has given you an opportunity to put your guilt behind you when He cleansed your heart. He doesn’t want to see you stuck, but longs for you to come to Him so He can strengthen you and free you.

If you use your time and energy to focus on Him and His work in your heart instead of on your own guilt, you may be surprised at the difference it will make. Don’t let your guilt stand in the way of drawing closer to Him.


Comments:


Wow!
by: Pat

Each point is like a mini-sermon packed with a truth we can grip a hold of - like holding onto hope.

Wonderful article Laurie.



by: terri

great truths here laurie - I love how you outlined the steps but your title clearly speaks to all of us. Thank you:)



by: Pam Hetland

Such a well done article! I like how you laid everything out so logically. And I can vouch that those steps works. At some time or another I've done all or most of them. It works. This is very good practical advice for every day Christian living.



by: Linda Owen

Your article is 'straight to the heart' of the guilt matter. Thank you so much for such a clear and valuable article!



by: Denise

I love it! It's that Amazing Grace.



by: Shirley Peter

Very good article.