HURT, ARE WE DRIVEN BY BITTER HURT? BOOMERANG!
By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com (YouTube: Wade Hughes) Several part lesson
HURT AND BITTERNESS THRIVE AT THE ROOT LEVEL. THEREFORE THEY ARE OFTEN HARD TO DEAL WITH… THERE IS A BOOMERANG EFFECT OF BEING HURT AND BITTER… THERE IS A DARK ROOM WHERE NEGATIVES DEVELOP… HURT, BITTER.
Hebrews 12:12 Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees; 13 And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed. 14 Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: 15 Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;
Hebrews 12:11 (NLT2) No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way. 12 So take a new grip with your tired hands and strengthen your weak knees.
Matthew 24:10 And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.
Matthew 24:10 (MSG) And then, going from bad to worse, it will be dog-eat-dog, everyone at each other's throat, everyone hating each other.
Matthew 24:10 (NLT2) And many will turn away from me and betray and hate each other.
YOU CAN NEVER GO BACK AND CHANGE THE BEGINNING --- BUT REST ASSURED YOU CAN START WHERE YOU ARE AND CHANGE THE ENDING. WE MAY BE HAVING HARD AND BAD TIMES RIGHT NOW… BUT IF STAY HUMBLE AT THE FOOT OF THE CROSS AND KEEP THE FORGIVING ATTITUDES --- WE CAN OVERCOME … WE CAN OVERCOME EVERY OBSTACLE AND ROOT.
I have fallen and I can’t get up? Often this is not true. The truth might be: I HAVE FALLEN AND I AM HURT. I DON’T DESIRE TO GET UP AGAIN TO BE HURT AGAIN. My friends we have SO MUCH TO LEARN. We can grow so satisfied with kindergarten, we don’t want to go to the first grade. We must face the challenge that we need to GROW BETTER not BITTER.
WHAT IS KEEPING US ON THE SHELF? BITTERNESS, HURT CAN PUT YOU ON A SHELF. THE SIDELINE WILL MAKE YOU BETTER OR BITTER… DAVID IS SITTING ON THE SIDELINE AND IN THE SHELF WILL TIME PAY DEARLY…
2 Samuel 11:1 And it came to pass, after the year was expired, at the time when kings go forth to battle, that David sent Joab, and his servants with him, and all Israel; and they destroyed the children of Ammon, and besieged Rabbah. But David tarried still at Jerusalem.
When I finish a book, it will go on a shelf and gather dust. It will seldom be used but as a reference. WE USED TO SING THIS SONG: I AM ON THE BATTLEFIELD FOR MY LORD… David has allowed the easy life of the palace and relationships to catch him UNPREPARED. David delegated his responsibilities to others. David would have been killed had not a friend stepped out of the shadows and defended him. DAVID WOULD SPEND THE REST OF HIS LIFE ON THE SHELF or SIDELINE.
2 Samuel 21:15 Moreover the Philistines had yet war again with Israel; and David went down, and his servants with him, and fought against the Philistines: and David waxed faint. 16 And Ishbibenob, which was of the sons of the giant, the weight of whose spear weighed three hundred shekels of brass in weight, he being girded with a new sword, thought to have slain David.
DAVID HAS TO PROMISE HE WOULD NEVER GO TO BATTLE AGAIN… HIS CHOICES TO SEND JOAB AT A TIME WHEN KINGS GO TO BATTLE REALLY HURTS.
2 Samuel 21:17 But Abishai the son of Zeruiah succoured him, and smote the Philistine, and killed him. Then the men of David sware unto him, saying, Thou shalt go no more out with us to battle, that thou quench not the light of Israel.
THIS HURT AND BITTERNESS CAN BECOME A SETUP FOR A WONDERFUL COMEBACK. HURT, BITTERNESS AND UN-FORGIVENESS WILL EXPOSE OUR SPIRITUAL, PHYSICAL, EMOTIONAL AND MENTAL WEAKNESSES. THIS EXPOSURE CAN BE A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN AND DO BETTER.
GET REAL… WE MUST KNOW FORGIVENESS IS NOT OPTIONAL.
The spirit of offense, hurt and bitterness is a sure last day sign. Can we read the signs? We must learn to do everything we can to keep offense, hurt and bitterness away… but this process of time can be a great teacher… that leads to healing and love.
IF WE HAVE TIME AND ENERGY TO COMPLAIN WHY CAN’T WE FIND THE TIME TO SEARCH FOR A SOLUTION…? GOD’S PRESENCE MUST BE OUR #1 GOAL. Every hurt that gives birth to bitterness will hinder the PLAN and PURPOSE OF GOD.
WHAT IS CAUSING ME TO FACE THE OBSTACLES OVER AND OVER? FEELINGS CAN BE FICKLE? IF WE ARE WALKING IN THE LAST DAYS WE MUST DISCIPLINE OUR HEARTS TO BE PREPARED TO PREVENT ALLOWING HURT TO LIMIT OUR SPIRITUAL GROWTH.
Will we focus beyond the opportunities to grow hurt? WHAT HAS OFFENDED AND HURT YOU? DISAPPOINTMENT? PAIN? INJURY? HARM? DAMAGE? Are we wounded by words, actions… deeds? Feelings… strain, stress,.
HAS SOMEONE SAID OR DONE SOMETHING THAT UPSETS YOU?
SIN AND HURT DRIVE THE PRESENCE OF GOD AWAY … HOW OFTEN DO WE COME INTO THE HOLY OF HOLIES TO DWELL IN GOD’S PRESENCE?
HURT AND THE SPIRIT OF OFFENSE BRINGS COMPROMISE WITH SIN… LOOSE LIVING COST MEGA BUCKS…
1 Samuel 2:12 Now the sons of Eli were sons of Belial; they knew not the LORD.
1 Samuel 2:34 And this shall be a sign unto thee, that shall come upon thy two sons, on Hophni and Phinehas; in one day they shall die both of them.
JUST BECAUSE THERE IS SHOUTING DOES NOT MEAN GOD IS WITH YOU… FALSE CLAIMS OF SINFUL CHOICES…
1 Samuel 4:4 So the people sent to Shiloh, that they might bring from thence the ark of the covenant of the LORD of hosts, which dwelleth between the cherubims: and the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were there with the ark of the covenant of God. 5 And when the ark of the covenant of the LORD came into the camp, all Israel shouted with a great shout, so that the earth rang again. 6 And when the Philistines heard the noise of the shout, they said, What meaneth the noise of this great shout in the camp of the Hebrews? And they understood that the ark of the LORD was come into the camp. 7 And the Philistines were afraid, for they said, God is come into the camp. And they said, Woe unto us! for there hath not been such a thing heretofore.
SIN HURTS… HURT AND BITTERNESS KILLS JOY AND LOVE.
Hurt has many side effects. Hurt can bring dark depression where NEGATIVES DEVELOP. Being offended can cause a river of tears. Tears fade into hardness of heart.
1 Samuel 4:10 And the Philistines fought, and Israel was smitten, and they fled every man into his tent: and there was a very great slaughter; for there fell of Israel thirty thousand footmen.
11 And the ark of God was taken; and the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were slain.
WILL WE ALLOW THE NEGATIVE PROBLEMS TO DEFINE OUR FUTURE AS A BACKSLIDDEN PERSON. LET US FOCUS ON THE PROBLEMS OF PAST… THE ARK OF THE COVENANT WAS TAKEN INTO CAPTIVITY BY THE PAGAN ENEMIES…
WILL WE ALLOW THE CURRENT NEGATIVE BACKSLIDDEN TO DEFINE TOMORROW? THE NEGATIVE FOCUS: 1. THE ARK OF THE COVENANT IS GONE. Uncle HOPHNI is dead… his father PHINEHAS IS DEAD…They both die in the same battle, the same day. Eli is a heavy old man sitting on the wall around the city. THE NEWS IS BAD… THE ARK, HOPHNI and PHINEHAS all is lost. His grandfather ELI falls backward off the wall and he IS DEAD. When Phinehas’ pregnant wife hears the negative news she goes into labor, as she is dying she LOOKS BACK OVER ALL THE TERRIBLE NEWS and goes
into labor and has a son.
1 Samuel 4:17 And the messenger answered and said, Israel is fled before the Philistines, and there hath been also a great slaughter among the people, and thy two sons also, Hophni and Phinehas, are dead, and the ark of God is taken. 18 And it came to pass, when he made mention of the ark of God, that he fell from off the seat backward by the side of the gate, and his neck brake, and he died: for he was an old man, and heavy. And he had judged Israel forty years. 19 And his daughter in law, Phinehas' wife, was with child, near to be delivered: and when she heard the tidings that the ark of God was taken, and that her father in law and her husband were dead, she bowed herself and travailed; for her pains came upon her. 20 And about the time of her death the women that stood by her said unto her, Fear not; for thou hast born a son. But she answered not, neither did she regard it. 21 And she named the child Ichabod, saying, The glory is departed from Israel: because the ark of God was taken, and because of her father in law and her husband. 22 And she said, The glory is departed from Israel: for the ark of God is taken.
HURT, BITTERNESS AND HIDDEN SIN CAN CAUSE US TO ASK: WHERE IS GOD’S GLORY? Little is known about ICHABOD BUT HE IS A SYMBOL OF HOPELESSNESS AND DOOM. Why we would buy into the darkness of the past? Ichabod is a symbol of negativity, no glory. WHY ON EARTH WILL WE FOCUS ON THE PAST? THE GLORY OF GOD IS GONE! WHY NOT SPEAK OF THE REVIVAL THAT SAMUEL WILL LEAD…
WHY NOT FOCUS ON THE POSSIBILITIES OF REVIVAL… GOOD IS COMING! WE TEND TO FOCUS ON THE BAD… PASSED HURTS. WE CAN FIND THE OPPOSITE OF ICHABOD IN OUR DAILY LIFE STYLES. JESUS: EMMANUEL: GOD WITH US… JESUS IS GOD’S GLORY…
AN OFFENDED SPIRIT BIRTHED IN ANGER WILL BUILD A DAM ON GOD’S BLESSINGS.
Matthew 6:14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: 15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
CONCLUSION: Hurt breeds anger. Anger breeds trouble that can hinder the revival of God. Bitterness thrives from hurt. Life is not always fair. We must learn to press on in seasons of hurt.
I read where TOMMY BELL told the lesson of playing football. Tommy Bell was a great NFL football player. Tommy told a lesson he learned playing high school football at Henry Clay High School in Lexington, Kentucky. Tommy came out of the game. His coach said: “TOMMY, WHY DID YOU COME OUT OF THE GAME?” Tommy replied: COACH, I THINK I BROKE MY LEG!” His coach said: “TOMMY, GET BACK IN THE GAME UNTIL YOU ARE SURE!”
Tommy went on to become the first Army player to rush over 1,000 yards in one season. Tommy was one of the best NFL PLAYERS, REFEREES and a famous motivational speakers of his day.
JACOB HAD AN ENCOUNTER WITH THE PRESENCE OF GOD… HE WOULD SPEND THE REST OF HIS LIFE WITH A LIMP IN HIS WALK… GOD’S LESSON WAS JACOB YOUR WOUND WILL REVEAL A BLESSING… WHEN WE LEARN TO PLAY HURT MIGHT JUST RELEASE THE BLESSING… JACOB TO ISRAEL.
His servant, Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com (YouTube: Wade Hughes)
This lesson will BE MORE THAN ONE PART.)
