My friend asked how Jarrod and I keep from getting our
feelings hurt all the time. Well, my feelings DO get hurt. They get hurt less often
now than in the past but not because of a hardened/calloused heart or walls I’ve
built up around my emotions but because of Jesus. Jesus has healed the pain
caused by others and replaced the wounds with love, peace and patience.
When someone hurts my feelings, I’ve learned that MOST of
the time the offender is dealing with his/her own issues and has taken it out
on me as an easy target, OR they’ve taken their issues out on me because I
resemble the person they really need to forgive. HOWEVER, when someone has
attacked me and I’ve been offended, that means there is something that needs
healing inside me.
So how on earth would I know whether I’m an easy target or
if something in me needs to be healed? The answer is found in prayer to Jesus. When
you feel the familiar pain from hurt feelings, for the sake of your spiritual
well-being, go to the special place with Jesus and have a conversation about
the offense or offender (or both). Ask Jesus if what the person said was
true, what you can learn from the offense, why it hurt your feelings, and what you need to know going forward. It sounds easy but it’s actually an involved
process, as with every other relationship, but totally worth the end
result.
Here are a few questions answered on how to get to this
special place where Jesus reveals truth and how healing takes place:
1.
Is getting in the presence of the Holy Spirit a
choice?
a.
ABSOLUTELY! Choosing to go in the Holy Spirit
(the special place) is a complete surrender to what Jesus wants for you. Going
into the Holy Spirit does not involve sheer determination or force; it requires
the exact opposite of sheer determination – it requires surrender and
submission.
2.
How do I get into the presence of the Holy
Spirit (the special place where you meet Jesus)?
a.
First you must surrender yourself to Him – give him
permission to come into your mind and heart. When you’ve given permission, then
ask for Him to speak, show, or allow you to feel what he wants for you.
3.
What will I need to access the Holy Spirit?
a.
Other than some paper and a pen to maybe record
what He’s said, you actually only need willingness and an open heart.
4.
How do I know if I’ve fallen out of the presence
of the Holy Spirit?
a.
When you’ve fallen or walked out of being in the
presence of the Holy Spirit, you’ll feel an absence, a loneliness, confused and
directionless (Eph 4:17-24). Feelings that can only be remedied by a relationship Jesus;
feelings that cannot be fixed with material things, other people, food, games,
etc.
5.
How do I find my way back into the presence of
the Holy Spirit?
a.
The only way back into the presence of the HS is
by prayer and revelation or with the help of your brothers in Christ, all under
submission to your authority.
6.
What does it feel like to be in the presence of
the HS?
a.
It’s a bright, happy place where you feel led,
inspired, rejuvenated and driven to do good for the Kingdom of God.
7.
What are the flags of falling out of the Spirit?
a.
Anger
b.
Confusion
c.
Impatience
d.
Compulsion
e.
Shame
f.
Guilt
g.
Self-loathing
h.
Rage
i.
Self-promotion
8.
What is the fruit of the flesh?
a.
Confusion
b.
Worry
c.
Deception
d.
Envy
e.
Lust
f.
Greed
g.
Despair
h.
Impatience
i.
Intolerance
a.
Love
b.
Joy
c.
Peace
d.
Patience
e.
Kindness
f.
Forbearance(Tolerance)
g.
Goodness
h.
Faithfulness
i.
Self-control
After you’ve entered the presence of the Holy Spirit, have
gotten cleaned up and continue to walk in His presence, you’ll deal with your offenders
differently. You won’t deal differently because your offender is different, but
because YOU are different. The things that used to be hurtful will no longer
affect you the same way because the wounds are healed and you’re a new person
through Jesus.
So please, next time you get your feelings hurt, take some
time out of your day to pray, get in the Presence, ask Jesus why you were hurt
and what He thinks about you, forgive your offender, ask what He wants you to
learn from this experience, and walk forward in your new skin. You’ll love the
new you!
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