Note: This article discusses the spiritual side of hurt, abandonment and abuse. Only God can bring true spiritual healing to those who are dealing with the sinfulness of another’s behavior towards them. However, the results of extreme hurt, mental or physical, brings all sorts of other issues such as depression, anxiety, fear of one’s life, or violence, just to name a few. There are many who are trained to deal with these issues: doctors, counselors, psychologists and psychiatrists, police officers, public welfare employees and many others who have been specifically trained to deal with mental health issues. If you are suffering or know someone who is suffering, please get help/encourage that person to get the necessary help.
Relationships can bring great joy and happiness. God wants us to be a part of a family. He wants us to have fellowship with other believers. These kinds of relationships give us a support system which allows us to freely love one another without fear of judgment or rejection. When we feel confident that we are loved and have relevancy, we are more able to go out into the world and do God’s will.
God Created a Woman to Love and Be Loved by Her Husband
When God created us, I do not believe it was ever his intent for us to feel the pain of alienation, rejection, or unworthiness. When he created Adam, God realized that Adam needed a companion, someone with whom he could share his life. The Bible explains how Eve came into being:
The LORD God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.”
Genesis 2:18
Genesis 2:19-20 relates how God brought before Adam all of the wild animals, all of the birds, and all of the livestock. Adam gave each living creature a name, but God realized that none of these creatures were suitable as Adam’s “helper.” Genesis 2:20 – 22 provides the story of how God then put Adam to sleep, took out one of his ribs, and then made a woman from the rib. The creation of this woman was actually the creation of the first family. I think we need to be reminded of what the Bible tells us next about the significance of the “joining together” of a man and a woman:
The man said, “This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called ‘woman,’ for she was taken out of man.”
That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they became one flesh.
Genesis 2:23-24
Notice that the writer of Genesis refers to the creation of the family unit by stating that a “man leaves his father and mother.” I believe that God meant the joining of a man and a woman to be a sacred union which should not be destroyed. God, in his awesome wisdom, knew that his creations needed to feel loved and be loved. They would need a companion whom they could trust and rely upon. Marriage was meant to be a lifelong partnership between a woman and a man, and through this relationship, each person would have the necessary support system to deal with the struggles of life.
We all know the next part of story. Before Eve had even been created, God had commanded Adam that he was free to eat from any tree in the Garden of Eden, EXCEPT one – the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. God added that anyone who ate from that fruit would die. Genesis 3 relates the “fall” of mankind:
Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the other wild animals the LORD God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?”
Genesis 3:1
The serpent, who we know was actually Satan, deceived Eve by telling her a half truth. He responded to Eve’s statement by telling her that she would not die WHEN she ate the fruit.
When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. Then the eyes of both of them were opened and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves.
Genesis 3:6-7
Satan knew that Adam and Eve would not die immediately. However, man would no longer have the chance to live for eternity with God in a safe and nurturing environment. Instead, man’s punishment was to be exiled from the Garden of Eden and more importantly, from God’s presence. In the time it took to put a piece of fruit into one’s mouth, man was condemned to a hard life struggling to provide for himself and his family. In addition, his wife would suffer pain in childbearing, her husband would rule over her, and finally, they would die and then be judged for their actions. Until the coming of Christ, the forecast for mankind was very bleak.
In that one moment of disobedience, sin came into the world. Mankind became alienated from their Creator. In other words, the lives we live now are NOT the lives God intended us to live.
God’s Intended Plan for Marriage and Family
I believe that God created marriage to be a holy joining together of a man and a woman which bonded them together for life. One purpose for this holy bond was to populate the world. A man and a woman, through acts of love for one another, would create children. The father would be the head of the household, but he would also be held accountable for the well-being of his family. Paul, in the book of Ephesians, very clearly explains God’s intent for marriage and the family unit:
Submit to one another out of reverence to Christ. Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything.
Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless.
In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. After all, no one ever hated their own body, but they feed and care for their body, just as Christ does the church — for we are members of his body.
For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and two will become one flesh. This is a profound mystery — but I am talking about Christ and the church. However, each one you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.
Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Honor your father and mother – which is the first commandment with a promise – so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.
Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.
Ephesians 5:21-33, ^:1-4
This passage of the Bible is the MOST definitive explanation of what God intended marriage and family to be like and WHY. Some takeaways I got from this passage include:
- God gave man the responsibility of being head of the household.
- Man’s responsibility over his own household is a representation of Christ being head of the church.
- Christ is the Savior of the church. Husbands, although not saviors, have been appointed to a sacred task of not only loving his wife and family, but being responsible (held accountable )for instructing his children how to live a godly life.
- Women are commanded to submit to their husbands as an act of reverence – love and respect – for Jesus, our Savior.
- By becoming “one flesh” a man and a woman are joined together in marriage for life.
- The husband has to love his wife as much as he loves himself.
- Children are to be raised in an godly environment so that they may grow to love and obey their Lord and Savior.
- Husbands are to treat their children kindly and with love, and they are to be a model Christlike behavior to both their wives and children.
I do not believe that I need to elaborate on the fact that God’s intended concept of marriage and family is not only ignored, but mocked and derided by many in this world today. Even a significant number of those who call themselves Christians do not take this passage seriously.
If men are unwilling to be role models for their wives and children and are unwilling to take on the responsibilities of being the head of the household, then there is very little hope for the success of marriages and emotionally healthy families. If women are unwilling to honor God’s designation of man as the head of the household, then we will see fewer and fewer marriages and families that resemble what God intended. Unfortunately, the refusal of both men and women to take on God-given roles and responsibilities ultimately reaps dire consequences on both themselves and, even worse, their children.
What Is Sin?
What is sin? Here are two dictionary definitions I found:
- an immoral act considered to be a transgression against divine law
- an offense against religious or moral law
Notice neither of these actually mention the word God in the definition. That in itself is a troubling reflection of the ungodliness of our world. It is not considered politically incorrect to talk about God or sin. No one wants to offend anyone else. The prevailing attitude in today’s society is that we need to respect the beliefs/non-beliefs of others. When someone mentions sin, others just accuse the speaker of being “judgmental,” which is a societal no-no. On the surface, this thinking appears to illustrate a loving concern for our neighbors and a lack of judgment. After all, God does tell us to love one another. He also warns us not to judge one another.
What an irony. People who do not love God or even believe in him use his words out of context as their excuse to actually ignore and disrespect his commands. Apparently it is not okay to offend others, but it is okay to offend God by our lack of acknowledgment regarding his sovereignty as Father and Creator of the world. All I can say is that I am very confident of my salvation, and I am very glad I will not be standing before him one day trying to explain today’s ungodly attitude towards him.
John MacArthur, a writer representing the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, defined sin in this way:
Sin is any lack of conformity to the moral character of God or the law of God. We sin by thinking evil, speaking evil, acting evil or omitting good.
When we do something that goes against trust and faith in God, that’s sin. When we know something pleases God but don’t do it, that’s sin.
“What Is Sin?” by John F. MacArthur
The Bible defines sin in this manner:
Everyone who sins breaks the law; in fact, sin is lawlessness.
1 John 3:4
Personally, I would add love of self to the definition of sin. God warns us not to put anyone or anything above him. That includes ourselves!
Just exactly who determines what is “evil”? From the beginning of the history of the United States, Americans have used the Bible as the standard for determining what is good and what is evil. Many still do. The “law” is God’s moral code for mankind and includes not only the Ten Commandments but any other commandments regarding living righteously found in the New Testament.
Why has our world veered so much off course from what God intended? Love of self. The refusal of many to acknowledge that anyone or anything has control over them. A desire to live a life of pleasure without consequences. Man’s sinful nature, which is encouraged by the devil himself any time he can find a crack in anyone’s personal moral code. Lust. Greed. The evil that lies within the heart of many. Hatred of God. Take your pick.
We Are ALL Sinners
When it comes to family, we tend to believe that we are dealing with people who care for us as much as we care for them. We innately trust that these people will not ever intentionally hurt us. Being mistreated, slandered, bullied, lied to, physically attacked, or threatened are all behaviors we associate with casual acquaintances, fellow workers, or strangers. Why? These behaviors are intentional. In other words, the person committing the behavior has chosen to do so for selfish (self love) reasons.
The closer we allow a person to become to us from an emotional point of view, the more open we are to the possibility of disappointment, hurt, and even betrayal. Unfortunately, our family can be the ones who hurt us most. Because of the emotional connections to those who are close to us, their actions can often do much more damage to our mental, emotional, physical and spiritual well-being than any other person could possibly do.
Consequently, sinful actions that we choose to do often have dire affects on loved ones. Being a Christian does not keep us from sinning. The Bible makes it abundantly clear that no human being is without sin. According to the Bible, it is foolish for anyone to say or believe that they are perfect. The following verses are just a few of many verses within the Bible which remind us of our sinfulness:
For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.
Romans 3:23
If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.
1 John 1:8
Indeed, there is no one on earth who is righteous, no one who does what is right and never sins.
Ecclesiastes 7:20
You will note that 1 James 1:8 actually states that any person who believes that he or she is without sin cannot truly be a Christian. The “truth” referenced in this verse is the truth that we are ALL sinners. No exceptions. If we do not believe this very important concept, we are saying that God is a liar since all of the Bible is God’s Holy Word. The contents of the Bible come from God; he just used certain people to write down his thoughts.
Sins That Have Continued to Corrupt Our World
After Adam and Eve sinned against God by disobeying his command to not eat from the tree of knowledge of good and evil, mankind has been spirally down the long road of sin. This road leads only to destruction. Today, many people that mankind has become increasingly evil and sinful. As a matter of fact, the kinds of sins present in today’s world were also present in the earliest of times. According to the Bible,
Now the earth was corrupt in the sight of God, and the earth was filled with violence. God saw how corrupt the earth had become, for all the people on earth had corrupted their ways.
Genesis 6:11-12
Notice that this verse comes from the first book of the Bible, which chronicles the very beginning of mankind.
Comparing different dictionaries, the definition of corrupt varies in wording from one dictionary to another, but basically the meaning of the word is to be morally bad, or rather, immoral. Specific sins are listed throughout the Bible. Here are just two of many:
But the things that come out of a person’s mouth comes from the heart, as these [things that come out of the mouth] defile them [the person speaking]. For out of the heart comes evil thoughts – murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander.
Matthew 15:18-19
Notice that sin begins within one’s heart. Romans 8:29 states that “for those God foreknew, he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son.” Psalm 139:1-6 states that God is all-knowing and knows our every thought. These verses seem to indicate that God knew before the beginning of time which people had true evil in their hearts. As a result of God’s foreknowledge, not only has he always known which people would put their faith and trust in him, but also those who will reject him.
The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery, idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.
Galatians 5:19-21
Looking at these two verses, two things are obvious. First, these “serious” sins primarily deal with:
- Sexual immorality
- Worship of other “gods” (which includes love of money, success, possessions)
- Doing what pleases self rather than God
- Inability to follow God’s commandment to love one another
Secondly, people who choose to live their lives in this manner will not be going to heaven. Only those who have accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior and have the Holy Spirit within them will be part of the kingdom of God, or rather, go to heaven. Instead, those who have chosen to reject and/or rebel against God will suffer the wrath of God at the final judgment (often referred to as the White Throne of Judgment). This judgment will not end well for any of those who stand before God at this judgment, According to the Bible,
Anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire.”
Revelations 20:15
The book of life is a reference to a book kept in heaven which lists all of the names of every believer of God in his Three Persons. Believers are referred to as the children of the God in the Bible.
Sin Has Destroyed the True Concept of the Family Unit
In our country’s current affairs, it appears that the only people who are NOT tolerated are conservative evangelical Christians, Why? Apparently we are close-minded because we insist that there is SIN in the world, and there are consequences for those sins. We believe that God has a plan for marriage and families that is out of sync with today’s beliefs. We also tend to believe that the erosion of the family unit, as God intended it to be, is responsible for many of the ills of society today.
2 Timothy 3;1-4 states, “But mark this: “There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be:
- lovers of themselves
- lovers of money
- boastful
- proud
- abusive
- disobedient to their parents
- unholy
- without love
- unforgiving
- slanderous
- without self-control
- brutal
- not lovers of good
- treacherous
- rash
- conceited
- lovers of pleasures rather than lovers of God
This scripture was written by Timothy, one of the early believers who helped to spread the news of Jesus as the Son of God. He is often identified with Paul, who was one of the two most prominent leaders of the Christian movement after the death of Jesus. (The other was Peter, one of Jesus’ disciples.) Timothy wrote these verses around 2,000 years ago! Many believe that many “new” sins have popped up in modern times. However, from Timothy’s list of sinful behaviors that were rampant in his day and age, it is clear that the sins of today have always been in the world.
When Timothy refers to the “last days,” he is referring to the events which are described in the book of Revelations. At this time, Jesus will not only have returned and gathered up all believers (both alive and from the grave) and taken them to heaven, but he will soon defeat Satan once and for all. During this time on earth, God will be sending all sorts of plagues to those who are still alive. It will be a time of which no person would want to be part. Once all of the events referred to in Revelations have occurred, life as we have always known it, will “end.” However, believers will begin a “new” life living with God and Jesus for eternity.
Many Christians today believe we are seeing signs of those end times now. Do you notice that all of the sinful behaviors to which Timothy refers are present in abundance in today’s world? Unfortunately, there are many people who call themselves “Christians” who exhibit many of these characteristics. Since we are all sinners, it is very possible that believers can be guilty of some of the above-listed sins for a time if we are not careful about keeping ourselves separate from worldly values. On the other hand, there will be others who claim to be Christians but are only pretending to be or deceiving themselves. These so-called Christians will be the ones who refuse to turn from their sinful lifestyles and repent to God.
A true Christian has the Holy Spirit within him or her. Sooner or later, believers feel the working of the Holy Spirit within them. Since the Holy Spirit does not speak his own thoughts or words, but instead, speaks the words of Jesus, those who truly love Jesus and desire to be obedient will, at some point, be convicted of their sins through the working of the Holy Spirit and will repent and turn away from their sins.
Sinful Behaviors Result in Pain and Suffering to Loved Ones
Unfortunately, those Christians who do commit adultery or choose to enjoy their own sinful and lustful pleasures rather than obey God’s commandments regarding living a godly life inevitably hurt the ones closest to them. Why? Because by nature we are sinful and have a love of self. If we do not keep our eyes on God at all times, the devil is able to convince us that our sins are not hurting anyone. That reasoning is a LIE!
The sins listed in the previous verses are not forced upon a person. God has given every person free will, which means that every person is “free” to choose whether or not to live by God’s moral code for godly living. This means that when people sin, they have chosen to sin. No one can force another person to sin. No matter the temptation or the pressure, in the end, each person can say “no” to any specific sin if he or she truly desires to do so.
Examples of Sins That Harm Loved Ones
Sexual sins, especially adultery and choosing sexual preferences that deviate from God’s intent that sex was created for the purpose of procreation, and thus, only intended to be between a man and a woman. Enjoying pornography, indulging in sexual pleasure with a prostitute or being involved in any acts of sexual perversion are also sexual sins. These types of sins not only can destroy a marriage but cause great emotional harm which have lifelong effects to not only the offended spouse and children but to other family members. Feeling of embarrassment, shame, unworthiness, anxiety, insecurity, fear, lack of trust, betrayal and financial issues are all real problems that result in sexual sins.
Sins of desire and pleasure generally include sins of addiction such as alcoholism, dependency on both prescribed and illegal drugs, and gambling. Alcoholism and drug dependency can lead to abusive behavior towards loved ones or lead to theft of a loved one’s possessions because of a need for money. Keeping a job may become impossible, resulting in debt, lack of basic necessities, and even homelessness. Gambling can also cause great financial stress for the family. In other words, no matter how much one might argue that these types of activities do not hurt the family, they do.
It goes without saying that any form of abuse, whether emotional, physical, or verbal, is a sin which greatly impacts family members in ways which can greatly reduce the quality of life.
Finally, making the” things” of this world a priority over God is very definitely a sin which impacts loved ones. Becoming a workaholic in order to attain material possessions, success, or fame and recognition generally take away from the responsibilities of being a good spouse and/or parent. Many deceive themselves into believing it all for the benefit of the family that they are spending too much time at the office, travelling for business, missing the children’s activities and family gatherings, not spending enough “alone” time with the spouse, or not attending church. They do not understand that being able to provide abundantly for their families
Sinful Behavior Has Serious Effects on Loved Ones
All we have to do is watch the news or read articles from the various medias to realize that many of those in our world lack the tools to cope with the many horrors of this world. Basically, many people do not have healthy coping skills. When life becomes overwhelming or too painful, most people adopt a fight or flight attitude. People who tend to be strong-willed or aggressive by nature will generally choose the fight mode. Those individuals with poor skills coping skills tend to allow their anger to control their actions.
Anger
There are many warnings in the Bible regarding anger. It is not the emotion itself that causes the problems but how a person acts. We all feel feeling of anger at times, especially when we feel that someone has offended
My dear brothers and sisters, take not of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.
James 1:19
But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment.
Matthew 5:22
Harmful Behaviors of Anger
Allowing yourself to become angry and bitter because someone you trusted has hurt or betrayed you only hurts you instead. Inability to manage one’s anger can result in your own sinful behavior. Examples of negative behaviors that are sinful in the eyes of God include:
- Bullying
- Threatening people directly
- Persecuting others
- Insulting or slandering others
- Becoming destructive
- Being a sore loser
- Mistrusting everyone
- Committing sexual or physical abuse
- Feeling the need to punish (as in going out and shooting someone)
- Being selfish
- Blaming others
Depression
Come to me, all of you who are weary and burdened. and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden light.
Matthew 11:28-30
The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
Psalm 34:18
Those who sow with tears will reap songs of joy.
Psalm 126:5
David was greatly distressed because the men were talking of stoning him; each one was bitter in spirit because of his sons and daughters. But David found strength in the LORD his God.
1 Samuel 30:6
For when we came into Macedonia, we had no rest, but we were harassed at every turn — conflicts on the outside, fears within. But God comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus, and not only by his coming but also by the comfort you have given him.
2 Corinthians 7:5-7
Notice the variety of descriptions used to describe those who are depressed and anxious:
- weary and burdened
- needing rest for your soul
- brokenhearted
- crushed in spirit
- tearful
- greatly distressed
- harassed at every turn
- conflicts on the outside
- fears within
- downcast
If you were to look up the symptoms for depression, the following are among the most commonly listed:
- Feelings of persistent sadness or emptiness
- Feelings of hopelessness or pessimism
- Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, or helplessness
- Loss of interest or enjoyment in activities that are usually enjoyed
- Decreased energy, feelings of fatigue (extreme tiredness or exhaustion)
- Difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions
- Having insomnia, awakening too early or oversleeping
- Having problems with appetite – not eating enough (weight loss) or eating too much (weight gain)
- Feeling restless or irritable
- Having thoughts of death or suicide or actually trying to commit suicide
You will notice a strong correlation between the descriptions of depression in the Bible verses and the list of symptoms for depression. The Bible was written several thousands of years ago, and I suspect that if we could go back and interview people who were struggling from Biblical times, we would hear the same kind of descriptions regarding their feelings. There are no new emotions; depression has been around since the time when Adam and Eve were exiled from the Garden of Eden.
How to Deal with Hurt from a Loved One
Total Dependence in God
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have everlasting life.
John :16
Surely God is my salvation; I will trust in him and not be afraid. The LORD, the LORD himself, is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation.
Isaiah 12:25-27
All this I have spoken while still with you. But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
Psalm 23:1-6
The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
Psalm 23:1-6
Joy in Salvation
Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you there, I will come back and take you with me that you may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.
John 14:1-4
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith — and this is not from yourselves; it is the gift of God — not by works so that no one can boast.
Ephesians 2:8-9
For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height or depth, not anything else in the world, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is Jesus Christ our Lord.
Romans 8:38-39
Prayer
I sought the LORD, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.
Psalm 34:4
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6-7
Forgiveness
Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”
Luke 23:34
But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.
Matthew 6:15
Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?”
Jesus answered, “I tell you not seven times, but seventy-seven times.”
Matthew 18: 21-22
Understanding that Suffering Is Part of God’s Plan for Us
And we know that all things work for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
Romans 8:28
Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.
Romans 5: 3-
So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good
1 Peter 4:9
My son, do not despise the LORD’s discipline and do not resent his rebuke because the LORD disciplines those he loves.
Proverbs 3:11
Learning the Art of Patience
But do not forget this one thing, dear friend: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
2 Peter 3:8-9
Wait for the LORD, be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.
Psalm 37:7
Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes.
Psalm 27:7
But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
Isaiah 40:31
And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you.
1 Peter 5:10
Looking Towards Eternity
Therefore, we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. /For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
2 Corinthians 4:16-18
I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed to us.
Romans 8:18
The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.
Romans 8:6
Asking for Help
Therefore encourage one another, and build each other up,
1 Thessalonians 5:11
And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all of the Lord’s people.
Ephesians 6:18
Praying for the Offender
Sometimes, God has to allow a person to go through some real trials and tribulations in order to get this believer back on track.
Consequences of Lack of Forgiveness
Sinning Against God
Giving Satan a Victory
Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.
1 Peter 5:8-9
But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ.
2 Corinthians 11:
Satan disguises himself as an angel of life.
Do not give the devil a foothold.
Ephesians 4:27
Spiritual Takeaways
