Dealing With Pain and Hurt

April 29, 2001
I am overcome and saddened by the wounds that human beings inflict upon each other. There is overwhelming suffering in this world. The human race suffers miserably from sin and selfishness. I doubt seriously if there has ever been a person who has never been wounded or has never endured pain inflicted by another.

The immediate human reaction is to fight back, returning hurt to the sender. By retaliating, the initial offended one becomes the victim. Harboring bitterness, revenge and unforgiveness brings a self-made prison. The cycle of getting revenge is not worth the price. God's children walk to a different drum beat.

I never want to cause someone else pain. I never want to cause, knowingly or unknowingly, hurt feelings, ill will, anger or heartbreak. Since we live in this world, we must learn to deal with pain and hurt. First of all, knowing the following Scriptures will guide our initial behavior:

Luke: 6:31: "Do to others what you would want them to do to you." (NCV) Philippians 2:3-5: "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus." (NIV)

To find peace when others inflict pain requires a realization that God is our strength, "a very present help in times of trouble" He is our refuge, our fortress. He sustains the broken hearted.

In times of suffering, turn to God instead of the inner self. Turning the heart toward God gives rest and peace to the hurting soul. There is no pain that He cannot heal. To close oneself up because of the hurt is the wrong thing to do. The wounds cannot heal unless they are given to the "Healer."

If you are experiencing pain, rejection, fear or hurt, try these emergency telephone numbers. Dial these numbers to attain immediate access:

In times of sorrow, call John 14.

In dealing with fear, call Psalm 34:7.

If you want peace and rest, call Matthew 11:28:30.

If people seem unkind, call John 15.

If men fail you, call Psalm 27.

In times of discouragement, call Psalm 145:18.

May all of us be and do our best for God.