A Faith That Works When Life Doesn’t: Part 4Sample

Heal Your Hurt with Grace

How do you let go of the hurt in your life? You heal it with God’s grace.

When you heal a hurt with grace, it doesn’t just mean you let someone off the hook. You forgive the person who hurt you, but you also change the way you talk to them. You stop being so judgmental and start being more gracious in your speech.

As Christians, everything we say should be kind. This is getting harder to do in our world today. But showing kindness applies to everyone—even people with different political opinions.

"Be gracious in your speech. The goal is to bring out the best in others in a conversation, not put them down, not cut them out" (Colossians 4:6 The Message).

Often the person who hurts you is carrying a lot of guilt. Hurt people hurt people. If you want to stop the cycle of hurt, then you’ve got to be willing to show some grace. Ephesians 4:32 says, "Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you" (NIV).

You will never have to forgive anybody more than God has already forgiven you. One reason why so many people have a hard time letting go and forgiving is that they've never felt fully forgiven themselves.

When you remember how much God has forgiven you, it makes forgiving others easier. Although it may not feel easier. Maybe you feel like you don’t have the strength, energy, or power to forgive someone who has hurt you deeply. You think you’re too weak.

When you try to do something in your own power, you won’t succeed. But once you realize it’s impossible to do it on your own, then you’re free to depend on God. God says, “My grace is all you need, for my power is greatest when you are weak" (2 Corinthians 12:9 GNT).

It’s okay to admit that you don’t think you can forgive someone or let something go. Sometimes you won’t have the strength to forgive on your own. All you have to do is humble yourself and ask for God’s grace.

Talk It Over

• When speaking with someone about a subject you both don’t agree on, what is your goal? What does the Bible say your goal should be (Colossians 4:6)?
• Is it difficult for you to admit your weaknesses? Why or why not?
• Why do you think God wants you to learn that you can’t do everything on your own?

This devotional © 2021 by Rick Warren. All rights reserved. Used by permission.