When I was a child and was crying because someone hurt my feelings, Mother used to say, “Was it done accidentally, or was it done on purpose?” Trying to be cute, I would say, “She [whoever the ‘she’ friend was at the moment] did it accidentally on purpose.” It made perfect sense to my young mind to say that because the offender meant to cause hurt, but not to the level of hurt that ended up being caused. And children can cause some deep wounds!
So can adults.
Has someone hurt you lately? I do not mean physically beat on you, but rather have they hurt your feelings or sensibilities through either their actions or words? In this modern-day environment of seemingly perpetual offended-ness, you have probably experienced a hurt (legitimate or otherwise) or else know of someone who has. What do you do when the person who hurt you is one who has authority over you and has lied on a document that could be used in legal proceedings?
This happened to me recently. A medical doctor was rather creative, and quite inaccurate, in her notes of a medical encounter she and I had during a recent appointment. I was initially shocked, but then got rather upset over it because what she wrote is now a legal document that could be used in a court of law. Because there were no witnesses to our exchange, it boiled down to a she-said/she-said situation, and since she (the doctor) is the one with the credentials to validate her version of our encounter, guess whose medical record will NOT be corrected? Yep! You guessed it. The record stands as originally recorded by her. Fair? Nope. Not by any perspective is this even fair.
As I spent time in prayer over this situation to ask God to help me lay it at His feet and for help to not pick it up again, I was reminded that there were others who have had to deal with the unfairness of life. Remember Joseph? He’s the one who had a coat of many colors, was the favorite son of his father, and had eleven brothers who were jealous of him. Nine of these brothers decided to sell him into slavery. (Reuben and Benjamin did not have any part in the selling Joseph.) As time passes, Joseph’s life seems to be a rollercoaster ride of rewards and undeserved punishments. Then one day many years later, Joseph’s brothers had a face-to-face encounter with him. The brothers were fearful of what retaliation Joseph would exact. Instead, Joseph said to them, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.” (Genesis 50:20)
When people mistreat you, it hurts. It is hard to see beyond the desire to lash out or pay them back for what they have done. Yet Romans 12:19 tells us this. “Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge, I will repay,” says the Lord.”
Every little thing that is done or said to us is known by our Father. It is good for us to try to correct a wrong, yet this may not always be possible. We may not understand the ‘why’ of a situation, but we do not need to.
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28 [emphasis mine]
Not just in the good things or the feel-good things, but also in those uncomfortable or hurtful situations. ALL things God will work for the good of those who love him. One day, everything will be made clear and will be understood. Look to God and leave the ones who have hurt you in God’s hands. Trust in Him, who is the “author and finisher of our faith” (Hebrews 12:2 KJV).
Will you trust Him with your hurts and your future? The choice is yours. He’s waiting for you.
(For more information about forming a relationship with the Lord, see How You Can Find Him located at the top of this page.)
So can adults.
Has someone hurt you lately? I do not mean physically beat on you, but rather have they hurt your feelings or sensibilities through either their actions or words? In this modern-day environment of seemingly perpetual offended-ness, you have probably experienced a hurt (legitimate or otherwise) or else know of someone who has. What do you do when the person who hurt you is one who has authority over you and has lied on a document that could be used in legal proceedings?
This happened to me recently. A medical doctor was rather creative, and quite inaccurate, in her notes of a medical encounter she and I had during a recent appointment. I was initially shocked, but then got rather upset over it because what she wrote is now a legal document that could be used in a court of law. Because there were no witnesses to our exchange, it boiled down to a she-said/she-said situation, and since she (the doctor) is the one with the credentials to validate her version of our encounter, guess whose medical record will NOT be corrected? Yep! You guessed it. The record stands as originally recorded by her. Fair? Nope. Not by any perspective is this even fair.
As I spent time in prayer over this situation to ask God to help me lay it at His feet and for help to not pick it up again, I was reminded that there were others who have had to deal with the unfairness of life. Remember Joseph? He’s the one who had a coat of many colors, was the favorite son of his father, and had eleven brothers who were jealous of him. Nine of these brothers decided to sell him into slavery. (Reuben and Benjamin did not have any part in the selling Joseph.) As time passes, Joseph’s life seems to be a rollercoaster ride of rewards and undeserved punishments. Then one day many years later, Joseph’s brothers had a face-to-face encounter with him. The brothers were fearful of what retaliation Joseph would exact. Instead, Joseph said to them, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.” (Genesis 50:20)
When people mistreat you, it hurts. It is hard to see beyond the desire to lash out or pay them back for what they have done. Yet Romans 12:19 tells us this. “Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge, I will repay,” says the Lord.”
Every little thing that is done or said to us is known by our Father. It is good for us to try to correct a wrong, yet this may not always be possible. We may not understand the ‘why’ of a situation, but we do not need to.
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28 [emphasis mine]
Not just in the good things or the feel-good things, but also in those uncomfortable or hurtful situations. ALL things God will work for the good of those who love him. One day, everything will be made clear and will be understood. Look to God and leave the ones who have hurt you in God’s hands. Trust in Him, who is the “author and finisher of our faith” (Hebrews 12:2 KJV).
Will you trust Him with your hurts and your future? The choice is yours. He’s waiting for you.
(For more information about forming a relationship with the Lord, see How You Can Find Him located at the top of this page.)
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