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A Root of the Hurt

A Root of the Hurt

Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.Psalm 51:7

Why is it that sometimes those I love and who also love me seem to have the greatest power to hurt me?

When this happened in my life recently, the more I dwelt on what happened, the more I wanted to point my finger at the other person. It was their fault! I reasoned. I wasn’t really open to hearing God’s perspective on the situation. My pride, as it always does, didn’t want me to see my part in the problem.

Days passed. The next thing I knew, a week had gone by and I was still struggling to acknowledge my part. Hurtful words replayed in my mind when I woke up, during the day at work, and at night as I struggled to sleep. I needed to admit my part, my sin, in the situation. If I didn’t, bitterness was going to set in.

What do we do when we’re wrestling with heart wounds and wanting to be healed?

It starts with confessing our sin to God if we have played any part in the hurtful situation. David described it this way in Psalm 51:4:

Against You, You only, have I sinned and done what is evil in Your sight.

We may have sinned against another person, but the first person we need to ask forgiveness from is God. This is called confession. When we confess our sins, the cleansing of our wound begins. David went on to pray:

Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.verse 7

This is what we want: to be made right with God and to have our hearts made whole again.

Experiencing Father God’s Healing

Do you have a wound — either old or new — that needs God’s healing? Take a moment to ask your Father to reveal any part you may have played in the situation. If He shows you something, ask Him to forgive you and wash your heart clean. If you are blameless, pray that God will help you heal from someone else’s choices in our broken world. Receive what you need from Him and thank your heavenly Father that you are always forgiven because of His Son, Jesus.

Growing Stronger

Read all of Psalm 51. What heart changes or actions do you want to implement after reading this devotional? Is there someone you need to reach out to and ask for their forgiveness?

~ Lynn

Excerpted with permission from Strong and Secure by Michelle Nietert and Lynn Cowell, copyright Michelle Nietert and Lynn Cowell.

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Your Turn

What might you need to confess to the Lord in order to be restored? Who do you need to reach out to? Confession isn’t something to be avoided; it’s a gift! Embrace it! ~ Devotionals Daily