It Hurt Me, but it Helped Me

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." - Philippians 4:6 
  
We’ve spent a lot of time discussing those who betray you. Now I want you to understand something: Don’t worry about the betrayer acting like they’re better off without you. Most of that is fake anyway, but even if they are, good; that’s their journey, let them have that. You know you’re healing when you can declare, “It hurt me, but it helped me.”

I used to put up with foolishness, but I don’t put up with it anymore. I used to let people walk over me and talk to me in any old kind of way, but I don’t do that anymore. It hurt me, but it helped. It helped me to stop being so gullible. It helped me to open my eyes. It helped me to realize that I don’t have to be unhappy, sad, afraid, scared, dejected, and miserable for the rest of my life.
 
Jesus shifted His focus from the betrayer to the blesser; from the one who hurt Him, to the One who helped Him. The text says He took the bread and blessed it, and He took the cup and gave thanks. That’s what God wants us to do; bless Him and give Him thanks.

I know you’re hurt, but hurt is like a door. On one side, there’s an exit. On the other side, there’s an entrance. On one side, you’re leaving something. On the other side, you’re entering something. Jesus was hurt on one side of the betrayal, but He was healed on the other side. On one side, He was rejected. On the other side, He was resurrected. On one side, was judgment. On the other side, was grace.
 
God wants me to tell you today, keep going until you reach the other side. You’re about to leave sadness and enter peace. You’re about to leave loneliness and enter joy. Trust in God’s plan for your life and remember that every hurt you endure is a step closer to the healing and blessings He has in store for you. Keep pressing forward, knowing that God is with you every step of the way.