In the Hurt

There are things in my life that I had once that I don’t have anymore.

There are relationships that were once a big deal to me that were taken

from me and are gone now. There are times when the pain of what I lost is

very heavy …And there are times when I realize that the fact that I feel

pain means I once had something good. I look back on the things I used to

have, and I realize I have memories because life used to be different. I

can smile at some of the things I used to do and the events I got to

experience. I look back on the life I’ve lived because of the relationships

I used to have, and I know those relationships made me a better person. I

grew up because of all I went through. I’m grateful to God. He is working

all things together for His good purposes (Romans 8:28). He gave me special

moments with people before I lost those people. He used situations in my

life to help me become who I am today. Jesus has been with me through it

all, and He will continue to lead me. Emily Acker Have you had things

come up in your life that hurt you but led to growth? Read Hebrews

4:14-16 and 1 Peter 5:7. How might the promises in these verses make it

easier for you to bring your hurts to God? Who are safe peoplesuch as

parents, counselors, teachers, friends, or youth leadersyou can go to when

you are processing hard things? Read Romans 8 and Revelation 21:1-4. In

light of God’s good plans for the future, what promises are included for

the present? How can these plans and promises give us comfort when we face

difficult times? Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the

Lord’s purpose that prevails. Proverbs 19:21 (NIV)

Read Verses:

Proverbs 16:1-Proverbs 16:4; Proverbs 19:21