I’m Hurt/Offended. Now What?

You Asked For It
(Luke 17:1 HCSB) “Offenses will certainly come...”
+
It’s not
.
+
(Romans 12:19) Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God.
+
It’s not
.
+
(Proverbs 16:28) A perverse man stirs up dissension, and a gossip separates close friends.
+
(Matthew 18:15 NLT) “If another believer sins against you, go privately and point out the offense...”
+
It’s not
.
+
(Jeremiah 6:14 MSG) My people are broken—shattered!—and they put on band-aids, Saying, ‘It’s not so bad. You’ll be just fine.’ But things are not ‘just fine’!
+
(Hebrews 12:15 LB) Watch out that no bitterness takes root among you, for as it springs up it causes deep trouble, hurting many in their lives.
+
God’s Way for Handling Hurts
1.
Realize it affects my
.
+
(Luke 6:37-38 GNB) “Do not judge others, and God will not judge you; do not condemn others, and God will not condemn you; forgive others, and God will forgive you...The measure you use for others is the one that God will use for you.”
+
2.
Acknowledge
.
+
(Psalm 39:2-3 NCV) I kept very quiet...but I became even more upset. I became very angry inside, and as I thought about it, my anger burned.
+
(1 John 1:9) If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
+
3.
.
+
(Matthew 5:43-44) “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you...”
+
(Ephesians 4:26-27 NLT) And “don’t sin by letting anger control you.” Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, {27} for anger gives a foothold to the devil.
+
4.
Deal with the root —
.
+
(Acts 8:23) For I see that you are full of bitterness and captive to sin.
+
(Acts 3:19) Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord.
+
All scripture is from the New International Version unless otherwise noted.