Forgiven People, Forgive People

I attended church this morning, and was reminded that hurt people, hurt people.

My wife and I have raised two girls and a boy, and young middle school kids can be, well, middle school kids, let’s just say!

We have given hours of much needed counsel and interpretation of the not so well intentioned young hearts that deliver hurtful messages. And I would always remind my girls, that hurt people, hurt people. So, have compassion on those that hurt you.

I can’t remember where I heard that phrase, but God has used the insight from it in my life for decades now. Letting that phrase soak deep down in my heart has allowed me to understand something. And that’s to give people lots of love and grace. Why? Because, Jesus gives it to us. It’s simple really. But hard to live out.

Remember the verse, “For God so loved the world that He “gave” his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16 NIV

God “gave” us Jesus as a sacrifice for our sins. Our response? Should be to “give” back. Give love and grace back in return.

Because when accusations fly and hurtful things are said, my fleshly response has always been to just get mad. And, my dad always use to say, anger leads to resentment and bitterness. And I don’t want that. And neither does God.

From that phrase and having several quiet times around it, God has shared a few things with me. One, not everyone is in tune with their heart that God gave them. Two, since most of us have been wounded in some way, our hearts hurt. So, we lash out from a heart that is broken.

Remember, again, Jesus came to heal the broken hearted and to set us free. Free from the damaging effects of what the enemy had in mind. And when we unfortunately agree to the messages received, we get bitter. We begin to lose heart and our eternal perspective Jesus wants us holding on to.

And so, today, my response to those who hurt me? I have compassion on their hurting wounded hearts. It’s really one of the most freeing things we can offer a human being. Forgiveness brings healing.

The world could use a big dose of forgiveness these days. I want to start a new quote today, “forgiven people, forgive people! Feel free to quote me!

The fruit of having a strengthened heart in Christ, should lead people to have compassion on others. As we forgive others, let’s “give” Christ’s love and grace. Especially those little middle schoolers. They need lots of God’s love and forgiveness. God help us all!

Matt