Hurting People Hurt People

Any journey through life will bring your share of hurts. There will be misunderstandings- in the home and family. Your spouse may feel neglected, you may sense that you are treated unfairly by your parents. You may have conflict with a sibling. Friendship squabbles are also difficult. They sometimes turn into wars, with people taking sides, and the hurt becoming more entrenched in their pain, and in their anger.

It is easy to preach from the sidelines to those whose response is coming from a hurtful situation. Grow up, stop acting childish. Get over it, we often preach. Sometimes the words we say, although carrying a measure of truth, only serve to make the pains deeper and the hurt person more engrossed in their feelings. It's somewhat like telling someone who has lost a loved one to just get over it. The fact is, that not everyone is able to deal with hurt and misunderstandings at the same pace.

I am not advocating petting and pampering someone who only wants your sympathy votes, and is stirring up a mess with their gossip and lies in the process. The truth I seek to drive home is that often times we are in a process of healing, and we are not there yet.

I know personally the feelings of rejection. Being raised in a large family, and the oldest child, I sometimes felt lost in the family. Some of the problems as a child, I carried into my adult years. So I can sympathize with those who feel as if they have been overlooked, rejected, or been hurt by words or actions. While I may not agree with their handling or reaction, I feel compassion for them.

I know it hurts. Its possible they didn't mean to hurt you. Its also possible they did. Either way, I am pulling for you. You are a good gift, have tons of potential inside you. God wants to heal your hurts today.

Be Blessed, in Jesus' name!

Don't Quit

At numerous times in the past I have used this poem, both for personal strength, and to strengthen others. It is an encouraging word to those who may feel like giving up. This poem is not my own. Its author is unknown. I share it today in the hope that it will help you hang in there.

Don't Quit

When things go wrong, as they sometimes will,
When the road you're trudging seems all up hill,
When the funds are low and the debts are high,
And you want to smile, but you have to sigh,
When care is pressing you down a bit,
Rest! if you must; but don't you quit.

Life is queer with its twists and turns,
As everyone of us sometimes learns,
And many a failure turns about
When he might have won had he stuck it out;
Don't give up, though the pace seems slow;
You might succeed with another blow.

Often the goal is nearer than
It seems to a faint and faltering man,
Often the struggler has given up
When he might have captured the victor's cup.
And he learned too late, when the night slipped down,
How close he was to the golden crown.

Success is failure turned inside out;
The silver tint of the clouds of doubt;
And you never can tell how close you are,
It may be near when it seems afar;
So stick to the fight when you're hardest hit;
It's when things seem worst that you mustn't quit.

(Author unknown)