Unhooked: Holy in a Hookup Worldਨਮੂਨਾ

Day 2: Pain

Read

Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. –Colossians 3:13

Connect

Relationships involve risk.

When you first meet someone, you don’t know if a relationship will start. If it starts, you don’t know if it will last. And you can’t always predict what will happen when you’re in it. Sometimes, what happens in relationships causes pain.

It hurts when a man or woman you want to date rejects you. Or when somebody you love just can’t commit.

Maybe a boyfriend betrays your trust, or a girlfriend “ghosts” you, a significant other uses you, or a husband or wife is abusive, dishonest, or unfaithful. Then there are breakups. Divorces. Deaths.

There is so much discomfort in finding yourself in a position you would never have predicted. And it’s a challenge to forgive the people who put you there.

It’s okay to ask a professional counselor, pastor, or confidant for help. It’s also okay to feel what you feel—and to express what you feel to God.

Has what you’ve been through resulted in disappointment? What about sadness, anger, or grief? All these emotions are normal for a person in pain. When you don’t get what you’ve hoped for, a season of darkness often follows.

But you don’t have to be afraid—you worship the Light of the world!

He can empathize with your agony. His heart hurt so badly, He sweat blood. He wore a crown of thorns and, already wounded, carried a cross to Calvary for you.

Then He fulfilled His promise: the cross wasn’t the end of the story. And neither is your pain.

His resurrection came. So will yours.

Pray

Sometimes my heart hurts, Lord—but I know that I’m in Your hands, even when I’m in pain. Thank You for using wounds as reminders to turn toward You. I trust You with my heart. Please heal it.

Reflect

What experiences (or lack thereof) in dating have caused you pain? Is there anyone you need to forgive? Consider writing a letter to God that expresses forgiveness for the people who’ve hurt you. Ask Him to heal you.