Allow the Lord to Heal Your Hurt (2 Cor 1:1-8)
Compassion - Comes from two words (With and pain) He shares our pain.
Song:Frank Graeff, went through a time of terrible physical pain, despondency and difficulty until he turned to I Pet. 5:7 that says, "Casting all your care upon HIm for cares for you." He then wrote this inspiration song.
Does Jesus care when my heart is pained
Too deeply for mirth or song,
As the burdens press, and the cares distress
And the way grows weary and long?
Refrain
Oh yes, He cares, I know He cares,
His heart is touched with my grief;
When the days are weary, the long nights dreary,
I know my Savior cares.
Does Jesus care when my way is dark
With a nameless dread and fear?
As the daylight fades into deep night shades,
Does He care enough to be near?
Refrain
Does Jesus care when I’ve tried and failed
To resist some temptation strong;
When for my deep grief there is no relief,
Though my tears flow all the night long?
Refrain
Does Jesus care when I’ve said “goodbye”
To the dearest on earth to me,
And my sad heart aches till it nearly breaks,
Is it aught to Him? Does He see?
Illustration: I haven’t always appreciated every member of the churches I pastored. Early in my ministry one man berated me in front of a group of people for my deep and dull sermons. A week later a deacon said my sermons were interesting but too simple--like little Sunday school lessons.
At the time I didn’t thank God for those cantankerous people. Nor did I thank the Lord for the person who disheartened our new assistant organist by placing an anonymous note on the organ criticizing her makeup.
I have learned, though, that I can appreciate and even show love to people who irritate me.
As I read the words of the apostle Paul in his letters to the Corinthians, I find him expressing both deep hurt and powerful love. He received unjust criticism from several people in Corinth (2 Cor. 10:10), yet he continued to minister to them. He knew that difficult people, like difficult situations, teach us to rely on the Lord and to allow Him to show His power at work in our lives (12:9-10).
Over the years, the Lord has helped me to show love to those who have irritated me. Many have become my friends. Dealing with difficult people will never be easy for us, but through the Spirit’s power we can do it. Herb Vanderlught (Our Daily Bread)
The worst criticism against you
can bring out the best in you.
The following are some suggested responses to hurt:
1. Let the Lord take away the pain of your hurt. Paul writes, "Who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we have received from God. For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows." (2 Cor. 1 :4,5)
2. Believe that the Lord will use the hurt for some greater good. Paul writes, "God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God and are called according to His purposes. (Rom. 8:28)
3. Thank God for the ways that He will use the affliction for building Godly character in you. James writes,"Consider it pure joy when you encounter trials of many kinds knowing that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Let endurance have its perfect work that you may be complete lacking in nothing. (James 1:2,3)
4. Follow the example of great men like the apostle Paul who turned hurt to his advantage. Paul writes, "As sorrowful yet always rejoicing, as beaten down and yet not killed, as being poor yet making many rich; having nothing and yet possessing all things. (2 Cor. 6:5-10)
5. Draw nearer to God in prayer through times of hurt. David writes, "O Lord my God, I take refuge in you; save and deliver me from all who pursue me, or they will tear me like a lion and rip me to pieces with no one to rescue me. (Psa. 7: 1,2) O Lord, see how my enemies persecute me! Have mercy and lift me up from the gates of death. (Psa. 9: 13) Keep me safe, O God, for in you I take refuge. (Psa. 16: 1)
6. Ask the Lord to fight your battles and it will relieve your stress. David writes, "Contend, O Lord, with those who contend with me; fight against those who fight against me." (Psa. 35: 1)
7. Ask the Lord for a special portion of His mercy, love and protection. David writes, "Do not withhold your mercy from me, O Lord; may your love and your truth always protect me. For troubles without number surround me; my sins have overtaken me and I cannot see, They are more than the hairs of my head, and my heart fails within me. Be please, O Lord, to save me; O Lord, come quickly to help me. May all who seek to take my life be put to shame and confusion. (Psa. 40;11-13) Deliver my soul, O Lord, from lying lips, and from a deceitful tongue. (Psa. 120:2)
8. Use every affliction as an opportunity to let the Lord show His mighty power on your behalf. One day Matthew observed, "Christ’s disciples came to Him afraid that they would drown and awoke Him, saying, "Lord, save us, we are perishing." (Matt. 8:25)
9. Allow affliction to show you where you are lacking in faith and knowledge. Matthew writes about Peter, "But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, "Lord, save me," (Matt. 14:30)
10. Follow the example of Christ who responded correctly to afflictions. Matthew writes, "And He went a little farther and fell on His face and prayed, saying, ’My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless, not as I will, but let your will be done. (Matt. 26:39)
11. Realize that God allows afflictions for His purposes that are beyond human understanding. John writes, "Neither this man nor his parents sinned, said Jesus, "But this blindness happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life." (John. 9:3)
12. Remember how God used an affliction with Paul to keep him humble. Paul writes, "Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me, but He said, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. (2 Cor. 1:8,9)
13. God allows affliction to show our need for help from Godly leaders. James writes, "Is any of you afflicted, let him pray. Is any sick among you? Let him call for the elders of the church and let them pray over him. (James 5: 13)
14. Remember that no one has endured afflictions like Jesus. "Consider Him who endured such suffering of sinners against Himself, lest you be wearied and faint in your minds." (Heb. 12:3)
15. God may use afflictions for our corrections, refinement and improvement. One psalmist wrote, "I know, O Lord, that you judgments are right, and that in faithfulness you have afflicted me. (Psa. 119:75)
16. Be confident that your afflictions will build Godly character and a greater sense of eternal hope in you. Paul writes, "But, we rejoice in our tribulations, knowing that tribulations works patience, and patience works proven character, and proven character hope. (Rom. 5:3,4)
17. We can rejoice in the fruits of our ministry after our afflictions. Paul writes, "I have great confidence in you; I take great pride in you. I am greatly encouraged; in all our troubles my joy knows no bounds. (2 Cor. 7:4)
18. Remember how God used affliction in the lives of the Godly prophets. James writes, "Brothers, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. As you know, we consider blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy. (James 5: 10,11)
