“It Hurts!!”

When you have children there is always excitement of some kind, especially with boys.  You never know what your day is going to bring when you get up in the morning.

I remember when one of my boys went hiking on our mountain alone many years ago.  He was quite a ways from home.  There was this tree that had fallen over and down a cliff.  He thought it would be fun, because it went from the top to the bottom of the cliff, to walk on the log down to the bottom.  It would make it easier and a shorter way to get home.  I don’t remember for sure how it happened, I think maybe it was slippery, but he ended up falling.  He had no one to help him so he had to keep heading toward home even though he had hurt his arm and was in a lot of pain.  He stopped at his grandparents because they live closest to the mountain.

When we got over there we knew it was more than just a sprain.  He had his favorite coat on and he wanted to get it off so if his arm swelled they wouldn’t cut his coat off.  We took him in and of course his arm was broke.  They gave him something to relieve the discomfort.  They put his arm in a cast to protect it and allow it time to heal.  The amazing thing about a broken bone is that once it is healed it actually makes the bone stronger.

This has made me think of those who have been wounded emotionally and maybe even physically by someone.  The pain is unbearable.  I can relate.  I don’t know all the answers but I have some thoughts that I want to share.

We need to learn to forgive and that can be so difficult.  But forgiveness does not mean you do not set boundaries.  If your heart has been hurt you need a healing time.  You need to put a “cast” around your heart and allow healing.  Also claiming Bible promises to relieve the discomfort of your heart.  Just like my son was not about to go on the log again unless he knew it was truly safe, you should not reconnect with people who have brought damage to you physically and/or emotionally unless there is proof that they are safe.  God loves you and you deserve to be treated better.

When my son’s arm was healed the cast came off and that bone with time became a stronger bone than before he broke it.  It is the same with the hurts and pains that we go through in life.  When we forgive, set boundaries, and healing takes place, we are able to take the “cast” off and we are stronger for the experience we have had.  And then God is able to use us to help and comfort others that are going through a similar situation.  God gives us a ministry.

Dear Father,

Thank You for the trials.  I don’t always feel thankful but I am because I know that through those trials I am going to get stronger and grow.  I pray that each of us will allow You to use our experiences to help those around us.

In Jesus Name,

Amen

If you are in an abusive situation, it is okay to get out.  Forgive and let the Lord heal you.  And make sure to set boundaries.

I love you all.

Have you been hurt by someone?  How did the Lord help you forgive and set boundaries?