Releasing Your Hurt
Ephesians 4:32 And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.
Forgiving those that have hurt us can be the most challenging thing to do in life. Holding unforgiveness can seem justified when we rehearse what was done and said against us. We feel violated and in a place of defeat. The lies of the enemy can convince us that by letting go and forgiving we have chosen the lowest position and let our offender get away with their actions.
We must remember that no one gets away with sin and “The eyes of the Lord are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good.” Proverbs 15:3. By holding on to unforgiveness we do damage to ourselves and invite a root of bitterness to grow in our heart and life.
One day when reading through the book of Philemon the Lord reveals His truth on how to overcome unforgiveness. In Philemon the apostle Paul writes to a slave owner – Philemon who has been wronged by his slave, Onesimus. Onesimus receives salvation under Paul’s ministry and is now ready to be released to his owner, Philemon. The situation of this letter is an illustration of what we experience when we’ve been wronged. The inspiration and truth of God’s word is written to instruct us and set us free.
Philemon 1:18-19 says But if he has wronged you or owes anything, put that on my account. 19 I, Paul, am writing with my own hand. I will repay — not to mention to you that you owe me even your own self besides.
In verse 18 the Apostle Paul is letting Philemon know that whatever Onesimus has stolen from him, he would repay it when Philemon releases the debt to Paul and puts it on his account.
Only God can repay us for the hurt and damage done against us. He knows the wounds we have experienced and is compassionate towards us. He sent His only Son Jesus Christ to die on a cross to pay for the penalty of our sin and shame. When we release others sinful actions against us, we are giving the record of those actions to God.
God then begins to heal our heart of the hurt and damage of those actions. Paul said, “I will repay.” God also communicates to us through this letter – “I will repay.” “How Lord?” we may ask. The Lord would say to us this day that He will repay us with His eternal love, joy, peace, and wipe away any hurt, shame, torment, experienced because of someone’s sin against us.
Pastor Ray Velez is the Lead Pastor of Inspire International Church. For more information about Inspire, visit our website at: www.inspireim.org
