Only God Week 5: Only God Can Heal My Hurt

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Only God…Can Heal My Hurt

weekend in review

In week five of our Only God series, we look at what to do about the deep pain we experience when we are wounded emotionally, relationally, and spiritually. We have a God who heals wounded, broken, afflicted people like we all can be as we experience life. Gene shared lessons he learned about keeping open to the healing God intends for us when we’ve been hurt.

WARM UP

Begin with some conversation, checking in on how people are doing. You can talk about whatever you’d like, but here are potential questions to get the conversation going.

Have you ever been around someone who was bitter a great deal of the time? What were your thoughts and feelings when in that person’s company?

What are some of the reasons why people might continue to hold onto bitterness?

DISCUSS

Select 5-6 questions from the list below to guide your discussion time.

Gene gave examples of different kinds of wounds including emotional, relational and spiritual. Maybe this resonated with you. If so, did today’s message move you to being ready to let go and allow God into the process of healing you? Share if you feel comfortable speaking of it.

Have someone read Psalm 38:14. Gene spoke of feeling utterly crushed with pain when his wife left him for another man. God healed Gene’s heart, and today he feels so healthy that his memory of that painful time no longer hurts. Have you had a similar experience of healing?

Gene’s first lesson is: Don’t pull out of life. How does being in a Small Group of encouraging people contribute to the healing of someone experiencing pain or loss? Is it difficult for you to be close to people, to open up enough to develop that sort of friendship? If that’s not something you’ve been inclined to do, why do you think that might be?

Have someone read Hebrews 12:12-13. Gene’s second lesson: disinfect the wound. What are some outcomes of letting bitterness, resentment, and hate fester in a person’s heart?

Read Ephesians 4:31-32. People can find themselves overwhelmed by feelings bitterness and resentment. Gene explained that practicing forgiveness is the key, and as we humbly remember we have been forgiven, it empowers us to forgive someone else and let those feelings go. Have you experienced or struggled with this? 

What is the most difficult part about pursuing peace, rather than allowing yourself to become bitter?

Gene’s third lesson: deeply allow God to work in you during this time by paying attention to what there is to learn. What are some of the things you’ve learned from being in a painful situation? 

Read 2 Corinthians 1:3-4. Gene’s fourth lesson: allow God to work through you to comfort someone else. Have he comforted you in your suffering? How might you do that without dismissing their pain?

application

What one step can you take this week towards forgiving someone who has hurt you. Write out your feelings and ask God to help you choose forgiveness.

Read Ephesian 4:17-32. Paul gives us this beautiful picture of who and what we are as followers of Jesus. Spend time in prayer talking to God about places in your life that need to be healed or that keep you from living abundantly.

If you feel you need help or support to walk through a painful situation consider joining one of our Care and Recovery support groups.

WRAP UP & PRAYER

Share prayer requests and spend time praying for each other. 

Take a few moments to share prayer requests and pray for one another. 

God, thank you for being Jehovah Rapha, the God who heals; for only you can heal our hurts fully. Thank you for the healing you’ve done in our lives. And thank you for the healing you’re going to do as we open ourselves to your work. We pray for or those who are hurting and especially those who can’t see daylight right now, that they may find comfort in you and rest in the knowledge that you are FOR them and ABLE to heal their hurts.