How To let Go Of Hurt

HOW TO LET GO OF YOUR HURT
July 9, 2017
Mike Prah

“Love does not keep a record of wrong doing” 1 Corinth.13:5d (NIV)

“God reconciled us to Himself through Christ and He has given us the ministry of reconciliation.” 2 Corinthians 5:18 (NIV)

Forgiveness is NOT…
Lessening the seriousness of the offense
Instant restoration of trust
Resuming the relationship without any changes

For a relationship to be completely reconciled and reunited, the offender has to do three things:
• Repentance
• Restitution, and
• Rebuilding of trust

I. WHY SHOULD I LET GO OF MY HURT?

1. BECAUSE GOD HAS FORGIVEN ME

“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ, God forgave you.” Ephesians 4:32 (NIV)

2. BECAUSE RESENTMENT DOESN’T WORK

“To worry yourself to death with resentment would be a foolish, senseless thing to do.” Job 5:2 (GN)

“It’s foolish to harbor a grudge.” Ecclesiastes 7:9 (GN)

“You are only hurting yourself with your anger!” Job 18:4 (GN)
“Some men stay healthy until the day they die… others have no happiness at all; they live and die with bitter hearts.” Job 21:23-25 (GN)

“Bad dreams come from too much worrying.” Ecclesiastes 5:3 (NCV)

 

3. BECAUSE I WILL NEED MORE FORGIVENESS IN THE FUTURE

“For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.” Matthew 6:14-15 (NIV)

“Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.” Romans 14:19 (NIV)

 

II. HOW DO I LET GO OF THOSE WHO’VE HURT ME?

 

1. I GIVE UP MY RIGHT TO GET EVEN

“Dear friends, don’t try to get even. Let God take revenge. In the Scriptures the Lord says “I am the one to take revenge and pay them back.” Romans 12:19 (CEV)

“Peter asked, ‘Lord, how often should I forgive someone who sins against me? Seven times?’ ‘No,’ Jesus replied, ‘seventy times seven!’” Matthew 18:21-22 (NLT)

 

2. REFOCUS ON GOD’S PURPOSE FOR MY LIFE

“Put your heart right, reach out to God… then face the world again, firm and courageous. Then all your troubles will fade from your memory, like floods that are past and remembered no more.” Job 11:13-16 (LB)

“Do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, and pray for those who mistreat you.” Luke 6:27-28 (NIV)

 

3. I RESPOND TO EVIL WITH GOOD

“Don’t be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” Romans 12:21 (NIV)