Where Was God? part 3

Hurting people hurt people, we see it all the time. Jesus said he came to heal the broken hearted. How do we find healing for our hurts?

Try the following acronym for the word HEAL.  Don’t see it as steps but as pieces to a puzzle.

H- HOPE

When we are hurting we can lose sight of the hope we have in God. When ever I think of hope I think of one of my wife’s favorite bible passages…

Romans 5:1-5

Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance;  perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.

HOPE DOES NOT DISAPPOINT US!

E- EACH OTHER

Galatians 6:2

Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.

The word carry in this verse implies the idea of lifting the burden to make it lighter or to remove if possible. We are better together, we need each other. We were not created to do life alone. Find someone you trust whether a counselor or friend to confide in – someone who can help you deal with your hurt.

A – ACKNOWLEDGE GOD

 James 4:8

Come near to God and he will come near to you.

Phil 4:6-7

The Lord is near.  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 your minds in Christ Jesus.

We can have a sense of great peace even in the midst of the greatest storms of life!

L – LOVE AND FORGIVE

Colossians 3:13-14

Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.  And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

Forgiveness doesn’t excuse the offender, it keeps you from becoming like them.

If you don’t forgive you’ll miss God’s grace and bitterness will fill your life!

Healing takes time and it takes intentionality. We can’t get through life, we can’t heal, without the help of God and others in our lives.