Life has many twists and turns along the way. One day we are on top of the world and the next we're trying to keep our heads above the waters of life that have swept in like a flood. How do you handle the hurt of disappointment, betrayal, loss, negligence, and abandonment without becoming calloused? As for myself, a wall usually went up around me where nothing could enter, but at the same time nor could it exit. Although this approach seemed to have been successful for a time, I soon found out that the bottled-up emotions began to make a home in my body and soul. Yes, there was a war of anger, bitterness, and depression raging inside of me to the point where I was physically being affected due to the lack of a proper release.
What is hurt?
Hurt is defined as mental, physical or emotional distress or anguish. As an emotion, hurt oftentimes masks itself as a defense mechanism to "protect" our vulnerability. In masking the actual emotion of hurt we may react in rage, we may become withdrawn, and/or sickness may begin to manifest in the body. Our vessels are not created to carry hurt long term. When we hold onto a negative emotion longer than we should it then becomes toxic affecting us mentally, emotionally, physically and spiritually.
How do we navigate through hurt?
There are many practical ways to deal with hurt, one of my favorites is journaling. But once the emotion transfers from your heart onto paper, then what? This is where spiritual healing is needed to conform your mind, will and emotions to the spiritual truths of what total healing really entails. Our intent is not just to bandage the wound but to go inside the wound and apply balm that will sooth, nourish and heal the hurt. We accomplish this by:
Running to our Source (Psalms 31:1-5 MSG)
Crying out to our Source (Psalms 61:1-2 AMP)
Leaning on our support system (family, friends, counselor)
Forgiving the one who inflicted the hurt to begin with (Matthew 6:14-15 TPT)
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