“And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.”
-Mark 11:25

If somebody offends us, we may want to bury our heads, withdraw, put on a fake smile, and pretend that nothing’s wrong. Inside we’re on fire and may actually lash out, yell, and scream, “How dare you say that about me!”

But when we’re truly living in God’s love, I find that our nerves are not so on edge. When somebody says something that’s truly unkind, truly hurtful, we still feel it, but it doesn’t get under the armor.

Pastor Rick Warren has said, “Hurt people hurt people.” Wounded people wound people. What others say about me actually says more about them than it does about me. I can let this one go and love those who have hurt me, even though I’m really angry. That’s what abiding in God’s love does.

Prayer: Dear Lord, I let it go. I abide in your love, which helps me to forgive those who hurt me. Amen.

Reflection: How would you describe abiding in God’s love in a time of emotional hurt?