Everyday we are faced with circumstances that challenge us for better or for worse. We often can’t do much about how others treat us, but we can choose how we recover from hurtful situations. You’ve probably heard the phrase, “hurt people hurt people”. This is definitely a truth evident in everyday life. It’s the scenario of the boss yells at the husband, so he comes home and takes out his frustration at his wife, who in turn sharply corrects her child, who then goes and kicks the dog. :-) When we get hurt by another person or a specific situation, the typical default of our souls is to hurt someone else.

When we get hurt it can effect many areas of our lives. If there is a physical injury it can take it’s toll on us emotionally and mentally just as easily as an emotional can effect us physically. There are some obvious signs of a hurt as there is with an injury and then there are some subtle ways that hurt creeps in that may go unrecognized for years or for the remainder of our lives. My hope in writing these entries this week is that you’d recognize hurt in your life, how it’s negatively effected you and those around you, and how to have hope in Jesus to be healed.

I remember my brother Michael breaking his leg while playing soccer when he was 15 years old. He was a fast kid and typically played center forward which meant he was in the goalie’s territory often. One day a goalie dove for the ball as Michael went to kick it. Michael’s shin collided with the goalie’s knee cap in a perfect way to break the top portion of his shin even though he had the proper shin guards on. The snap was heard throughout the soccer field and the aftermath was not pretty (I’ll spare details for those of you like me who are already gritting your teeth). I remember after his cast was set how he had to live downstairs for several weeks to recover. It was frustrating to feel hindered from the sport he loved and from living day to day life in his bedroom upstairs. However, following the doctor’s orders precicely and resting, Michael healed and went on to play many more soccer games.

It was unfortunate that Michael got hurt that day. As his big sister, I hurt for him and wished it hadn’t of happened. Sometimes in our lives, we’re running full speed and when we collide with things that hurt us, we are prevented from reaching our “goal” so to speak. This often requires a season of healing and recovery, but does not mean that we can’t get back into the game. I watched my brother get back into the game with more tenacity and skill after his injury than before. What the enemy intends for our lives by causing hurt can become our greatest opportunities for victory when we turn to Jesus.

Specifically when other people hurt us even beginning at a young age, there can be serious emotional and mental pain that ensues. These wounds can cause issues of rejection, insecurities, trust issues, identity complexes, unhealthy emotional behaviors, and give us a false filter to perceive reality. Often we aren’t aware of the effects of hurt until we compensate in areas, form bad habits or unhealthy cycles. These effects can continue to be inflicted as we age and cause great detriment to our relationships, jobs and overall health.

I want to tell you today that hurt in your life can become a healed and whole place through Jesus. The areas where you’ve been wounded don’t have to become places where you hurt others. You may have to go through some trying healing seasons, but you too can get back in the game and score some goals again! I’m praying for you and hope you know how deeply Jesus loves you and wants your wounds to be healed. If anyone knows the depth of hurt you’ve experienced, it’s Jesus Christ and he’s the best coach to have when healing ;-)

Wednesday’s blog will emphasize how our hurts can effect others and Friday’s blog will address how healed people can heal people.