Sunday, November 17, 2024

Have you struggled with hurt and pain? Of course! We all have. Unfortunately, it's part of the human condition.

The question is less about whether we’ll encounter it, and more about what we will do with the hurt we’ve been handed. Our human nature is often to pretend it isn’t happening and protect ourselves by building a wall to keep others out.

But God has a better vision and offers us a way to navigate the pain we experience.

1 Peter 5:7
Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.

Today, consider how you handle hurt. Then respond to the following questions and reflect on how you can take steps toward freedom.

Discussion Questions:
Icebreaker: Share a time when something unexpectedly interrupted your plans.

What are some common responses to pain and hurt?

Read Job 5:11 and Isaiah 53:3. What do you learn about God? How do the verses encourage you to navigate your hurt differently?

What is one thing you can do this week to know God better and begin to dismantle the wall you have put up for the pain?

Who can you share this step with so they can walk alongside you?

Prayer:
Father, thank you for the reminder that you understand the hurt and pain I am navigating. I don’t have to traverse it alone. Instead of putting up walls and protecting myself, let me turn to you first knowing you love me and want to help bear my burden. Let me seek your protection instead. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Series Theme Verse:

Romans 1:20
For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God.

Today’s post was written by Kelly Pagel, Director of the LivingItOut.