God's Way for Handling Hurts

Luke 17:1 B  (HCSB)

“Offenses will certainly come!

1. Don't blow up when you are offended.

Romans 12:19  (NLT)

19 Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say,

“I will take revenge;
    I will pay them back,”
    says the Lord.

2. Don't gossip after you are offended.

Proverbs 16:28  (NLT)

28 A troublemaker plants seeds of strife;
    gossip separates the best of friends.

Matthew 18:15  (NLT)

15 “If another believer sins against you, go privately and point out the offense. If the other person listens and confesses it, you have won that person back.

3. Don't act like the offense doesn't matter when it does.

Jeremiah 6:14 The Message (MSG)

My people are broken—shattered!—
    and they put on Band-Aids,
Saying, ‘It’s not so bad. You’ll be just fine.’
    But things are not ‘just fine’!

Hebrews 12:15 (TLB)

15 Look after each other so that not one of you will fail to find God’s best blessings. Watch out that no bitterness takes root among you, for as it springs up it causes deep trouble, hurting many in their spiritual lives.

God's Way for Handling Hurts

1. Unforgiveness hurts my relationship with God.

Matthew 6:14-15  (GNT)

14 “If you forgive others the wrongs they have done to you, your Father in heaven will also forgive you. 

15 But if you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive the wrongs you have done.

2.  I must acknowledge my hurts to God and to the other believer that hurt me.

Psalm 39:2-3 A New Century Version (NCV)

2 So I kept very quiet.
    I didn’t even say anything good,
    but I became even more upset.
3 I became very angry inside,
    and as I thought about it, my anger burned.

Luke 17:3-4  (MSG)

3-4 “Be alert. If you see your friend going wrong, correct him. If he responds, forgive him.

3. Talk to God about it.  

Allow God to work in you to change you.  

Matthew 5:44 B (NCV) 

 Pray for those who hurt you.

Ephesians 4:26-27  (NLT)

26 And “don’t sin by letting anger control you.” Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, 

27 for anger gives a foothold to the 

devil.

4. Deal with the root of your bitterness which is rejection.

Acts 8:23 (NLT)

23 for I can see that you are full of bitter jealousy and are held captive by sin.”

Acts 3:19 (MSG)

19 “Now it’s time to change your ways! Turn to face God so he can wipe away your sins,

Tell the Lord Jesus.  Lord Jesus forgive me.  Take control of my life.  Please save me.  You're the only one who can.

Chris Hodges, Church of the Highlands

https://www.churchofthehighlands.com/media/message/im-hurt-offended-now-what