Healing Past Hurts: Embracing Suffering with Faith and Hope
by Tania Hilton
As a biblical counselor, I often refer my counselees to the Book of Job. No, I’m not being cruel and heartless by compounding their pain with more reading on suffering! The Book of Job offers deep insights into the nature of suffering we Christians will experience and how to hold on to unwavering faith. Job’s story is a testament to his enduring hardship, with his heart fixed on his trust in God in all things.
Job was a man with great integrity, described as “blameless and upright” in Job 1:1 (ESV). Despite his righteousness, Job faced devastating losses: his wealth, his children, and his health. Despite these immense trials, Job’s initial response was one of profound faith and submission to God’s will. He declared,
“Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked shall I return. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord” (Job 1:21, ESV).
As Christians, we are not immune to suffering or past hurts. Our experiences can leave deep wounds that, if left unchecked, can blind us to joy and hinder our journey toward spiritual fulfillment. If left to fester deep within the trenches of our memory, our past traumas can lead to resentment, bitterness, and hatred. Uncovering and facing these past wounds can be a painful task; however, as Christians, we have a unique hope that transcends our past pain, pointing us toward a peace that surpasses all understanding.
Romans 5:3-5 - A Foundation for Hope
"We rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us." - Romans 5:3-5
This scripture reminds us that suffering is inevitable, and in the face of our suffering, we can rejoice because we know that all trials and tribulations point us toward the goodness of Christ. We know Christ is for us, despite what the world might say. Our hope is not in the fading things of this world but in the resurrection of the King of Kings and His promise for us. Suffering is not the end of the story but the beginning of a process that leads to hope in Christ Jesus. Through this process, we develop perseverance and character, ultimately finding joy in the love of God poured into our hearts by the Holy Spirit.
We are called to walk through suffering with a perspective rooted in Christ's resurrection, the forgiveness of sins, and the promise of eternal life in the Kingdom of God. Suffering is not a sign of God’s abandonment but an opportunity for growth and deeper reliance on Him. Christ’s own suffering and resurrection demonstrate that victory over sin, death, and the devil is certain and assured for us as well. “For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his.” Romans 6:5 (ESV). With this in mind, let's look at three perspectives when dealing with past hurts and current suffering.
Dealing with Past Hurts through Humility
Humility is essential in our journey to healing. Recognizing our need for God’s help and being open to His work in our lives allows us to confront our past hurts honestly. It is through humility that we acknowledge our brokenness and our inability to heal ourselves. When we approach our pain with humility, we open the door to God's transformative power. Humility enables us to lay down our pride and self-reliance, admitting that we cannot navigate our wounds alone. It invites us to see ourselves through God's eyes – loved, chosen, valued…. yet in need of His grace, forgiveness, and mercy.
Humility helps us to surrender control. Often, our desire to manage and fix our pain can lead to further frustration and deeper despair. By humbly submitting our hurts to God, we trust in His perfect timing and wisdom, believing that He knows the best way to mend our hearts. This surrender allows us to experience peace, knowing that we are in the hands of a loving and sovereign God who cares deeply for His children.
Humility also fosters a deeper sense of empathy and compassion towards others. As we recognize our own brokenness, we become more understanding of the struggles and pains of those around us. This shared vulnerability can build stronger, more authentic relationships, where healing is fostered in community and mutual support.
The Power of Forgiveness
Forgiveness is a powerful tool in healing past hurts. Holding onto grudges and resentment only deepens our wounds. Jesus taught us to forgive others as we have been forgiven (Matthew 6:14-15). By forgiving those who have wronged us, we release the hold that past hurts have on our hearts and make room for God’s healing grace. Forgiveness does not mean forgetting or condoning the wrongs done to us but letting go of the bitterness and seeking peace that can only come from Christ. Forgiveness can be difficult for anyone, especially when we need to forgive someone who is not sorry for how they have hurt us. But forgiveness is not only about releasing others from their wrongs; it is also about setting ourselves free from the burden of bitterness and resentment that comes with unforgiveness. By forgiving others, we leave judgment to God and allow ourselves to heal. This reflects Jesus’ teaching in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7), where He calls us to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us.
Leaning into the Power of the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is our Comforter and Healer. Leaning into the power of the Holy Spirit allows us to experience true healing that goes beyond our understanding. The Spirit works in our hearts, minds, and spirits to bring about transformation and renewal. This is especially true when needing to forgive an unapologetic person. Through prayer to the Holy Spirit, we can find the means to forgive those who have hurt us. Only by His divine power can we have peace and joy, even in the midst of our past hurts.
Healing from past hurts is a journey that every Christian must undertake, as suffering is a part of every human experience. Despite Job’s unimaginable suffering, he held fast to his faith in God. Job's unwavering trust and integrity amidst his trials serve as a powerful reminder that our suffering is not in vain. Like Job, we are called to remain steadfast, knowing that God is for us even in our darkest moments. By embracing humility, extending forgiveness, and relying on the Holy Spirit, we open our hearts to God's healing grace in our own lives. Our hope, anchored in Christ's resurrection and the promise of eternal life, assures us that we will find joy and freedom in Him despite our past hurts. Through Christ Jesus, we have peace in His comfort and trust in God's greater plan and love for us.
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