How should I respond to those who hurt me? - Hurts/hurting - TouchPoints

Luke 23:34Jesus said, “Father, forgive these people, because they don’t know what they are doing.” And the soldiers gambled for his clothes by throwing dice.

Matthew 6:14-15If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins.

Matthew 18:21-22Then Peter came to him and asked, “Lord, how often should I forgive someone who sins against me? Seven times?” “No!” Jesus replied, “seventy times seven!”

Luke 17:3-4I am warning you! If another believer sins, rebuke him; then if he repents, forgive him. Even if he wrongs you seven times a day and each time turns again and asks forgiveness, forgive him.

Mark 11:25But when you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your sins, too.

Forgiveness is not an option; it is a command. It is necessary for our own health and our relationship with God. Jesus gave us the perfect example of forgiveness. Forgiveness doesn’t mean we claim the hurt doesn’t exist or it doesn’t matter, nor does forgiveness make everything “all right.” Forgiveness allows us to let go of the hurt and let God deal with the ones who hurt us. Forgiveness sets us free. Forgiveness allows us to move on with our lives. It’s not always easy, but forgiving others who have caused us hurt is the healthiest act we can do for ourselves.

Proverbs 20:22Don’t say, “I will get even for this wrong.” Wait for the Lord to handle the matter.

1 Peter 3:8-9Finally, all of you should be of one mind, full of sympathy toward each other, loving one another with tender hearts and humble minds. Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t retaliate when people say unkind things about you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God wants you to do, and he will bless you for it.

Luke 6:27-29But if you are willing to listen, I say, love your enemies. Do good to those who hate you. Pray for the happiness of those who curse you. Pray for those who hurt you. If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn the other cheek. If someone demands your coat, offer your shirt also.

Genesis 50:15, 19-21But now that their father was dead, Joseph’s brothers became afraid. “Now Joseph will pay us back for all the evil we did to him,” they said . . . But Joseph told them, “Don’t be afraid of me. Am I God, to judge and punish you? As far as I am concerned, God turned into good what you meant for evil. He brought me to the high position I have today so I could save the lives of many people. No, don’t be afraid. Indeed, I myself will take care of you and your families.” And he spoke very kindly to them, reassuring them.

Wait for the Lord to take care of things his way. God wants us to respond with love and blessing rather than retaliation.

Colossians 3:13You must make allowance for each other’s faults and forgive the person who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.

1 Corinthians 13:5or rude. Love does not demand its own way. Love is not irritable, and it keeps no record of when it has been wronged.

We can sometimes avoid being hurt by being less sensitive to others’ faults, offenses and wrongs toward us. Each of us is a flawed, broken human. Just as Christ forgave us