Letting Go of Hurt: Embracing Forgiveness and Grace

Devotional

Day 1: Bitterness Separates Us from God's Will

Holding onto bitterness is a significant spiritual hindrance. It not only separates us from God's will but also prevents us from experiencing His blessings. When we harbor bitterness, we choose to disobey God, which leads to a life devoid of His guidance and purpose. James 1:20 reminds us that anger and bitterness prevent us from doing the good things God desires. By letting go of bitterness, we open ourselves to the transformative power of God's love and grace. [12:46]

"For the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God." (James 1:20, ESV)

Reflection: Is there a specific area in your life where bitterness is preventing you from experiencing God's will? How can you begin to release this bitterness today?

Day 2: Resentment Blocks Our Path to Joy

Resentment is a barrier to true happiness. It is a choice to focus on past hurts rather than embracing the joy and peace that God offers. Job 21:23-25 illustrates that bitterness and happiness cannot coexist. By choosing to let go of resentment, we open ourselves to the joy and peace that God desires for us. This act of release is not just a personal benefit but a spiritual discipline that aligns us with God's purpose for our lives. [14:08]

"One dies in his full vigor, being wholly at ease and secure, his pails full of milk and the marrow of his bones moist. Another dies in bitterness of soul, never having tasted of prosperity." (Job 21:23-25, ESV)

Reflection: What is one step you can take today to let go of resentment and embrace the joy God has for you?

Day 3: Bitterness Weighs Down Our Spirit

Carrying bitterness is like carrying a heavy load that suffocates our spirit. Proverbs 27:3 warns that resentment is heavier than both stone and sand. This weight depresses our spirit and prevents us from living in the freedom and peace that God offers. By releasing bitterness, we free ourselves to breathe spiritually and live in peace. This act of letting go is a powerful step towards spiritual renewal and growth. [15:58]

"A stone is heavy, and sand is weighty, but a fool's provocation is heavier than both." (Proverbs 27:3, ESV)

Reflection: What is one practical way you can begin to lighten the load of bitterness in your life today?

Day 4: Unforgiveness Blocks God's Forgiveness

Unforgiveness is a spiritual blockade that prevents us from receiving God's forgiveness. Jesus teaches in Matthew 6:15 that if we refuse to forgive others, we block God's forgiveness in our own lives. This principle is a powerful reminder of the importance of extending grace and forgiveness to others. By choosing to forgive, we align ourselves with God's heart and open the door to His forgiveness and grace in our lives. [25:28]

"But if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses." (Matthew 6:15, ESV)

Reflection: Is there someone you need to forgive today? How can you take a step towards offering forgiveness and opening yourself to God's grace?

Day 5: Healing Through Grace

Healing from hurt requires grace, both for ourselves and for others. Ephesians 4:32 encourages us to be kind and compassionate, forgiving others as Christ forgave us. This act of grace is transformative, bringing healing to our relationships and our own hearts. By offering grace, we reflect the love and forgiveness that God has extended to us, creating a ripple effect of healing and restoration. [35:16]

"Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you." (Ephesians 4:32, ESV)

Reflection: How can you extend grace to someone in your life today, reflecting the forgiveness and love that God has shown you?

Sermon Summary

In today's message, we explored the profound topic of developing a faith that doesn't hold on to hurt, using the book of James as our guide. We live in a world where everything is broken by sin, and as imperfect people, we inevitably experience hurt. The critical question is how we handle that hurt. Do we let it fester and grow, or do we learn the wisdom of letting it go? This is especially relevant in our current culture, which is filled with anger, slander, and bitterness. James challenges us to be different, to not let the negative culture infect us, and to live in a way that reflects our faith.

We examined the costs of holding onto hurt, which are significant. Bitterness is a sin that takes us out of God's will, halts our happiness, suffocates our spirit, harms our health, and can hurt many people around us. It also makes us act like unbelievers and blocks God's forgiveness in our lives. The price of bitterness is too high, and it's not worth holding onto.

To let go of hurt, we must first give it to God, trusting Him to handle it. We heal the hurt with grace, offering forgiveness as God has forgiven us. Finally, we nail our bitterness to the cross, recognizing that Jesus died for all our sins, including our bitterness and resentment. By doing so, we can begin a new chapter in our lives with less misery, more satisfaction, and stronger relationships.

Key Takeaways

1. Bitterness Takes Us Out of God's Will: Holding onto hurt is a sin that separates us from God's will. When we harbor bitterness, we choose to disobey God, forfeiting His blessings and the opportunity to be used by Him. James 1:20 reminds us that anger prevents us from doing the good things God desires. [12:46]
2. Resentment Halts Our Happiness: Happiness is a choice, and when we choose to focus on hurt, we choose unhappiness. Job 21:23-25 illustrates that bitterness and happiness cannot coexist. By letting go of resentment, we open ourselves to joy and peace. [14:08]
3. Bitterness Suffocates Our Spirit: Bitterness is like carrying a heavy load of garbage that depresses our spirit. Proverbs 27:3 warns that resentment is heavier than both stone and sand. Letting go of bitterness frees us to breathe spiritually and live in peace. [15:58]
4. Unforgiveness Blocks God's Forgiveness: Jesus teaches in Matthew 6:15 that if we refuse to forgive others, we block God's forgiveness in our own lives. We cannot expect to receive from God what we are unwilling to offer to others. [25:28]
5. Healing with Grace: We heal our hurts by offering grace, just as God has forgiven us. Ephesians 4:32 encourages us to be kind and compassionate, forgiving others as Christ forgave us. This act of grace transforms our relationships and brings healing. [35:16]
** [35:16]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:09] - Introduction to Living Through a Pandemic
[00:33] - Developing a Faith That Doesn't Hold on to Hurt
[01:28] - A Letter from a New Believer
[05:11] - The Culture of Anger and Division
[07:14] - James' Message to Christians
[08:44] - Hypocrisy in Speech
[10:21] - Why We Shouldn't Hold on to Hurt
[11:29] - The Cost of Bitterness
[18:05] - Resentment Harms Health
[20:20] - Bitterness Hurts Many People
[22:42] - Acting Like Unbelievers
[25:09] - Blocking God's Forgiveness
[27:31] - How to Let Go of Hurt
[35:16] - Healing with Grace
[42:06] - Nailing Hurt to the Cross
[44:12] - Conclusion and Prayer

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What does James 1:20 say about the impact of anger on our ability to do good? [12:11]
According to the sermon, what are some of the costs associated with holding onto bitterness? [11:29]
How does Ephesians 4:32 describe the way we should treat others, and what is the reason given for this behavior? [35:16]
What does Matthew 6:15 warn us about the consequences of unforgiveness? [25:28]

Interpretation Questions

How does the sermon explain the relationship between bitterness and being out of God's will? [11:29]
In what ways does the sermon suggest that resentment can affect our happiness and health? [13:52] and [18:05]
How does the sermon illustrate the idea that bitterness can spread and affect others around us? [20:20]
What does the sermon suggest is the ultimate cost of unforgiveness in our spiritual lives? [25:09]

Application Questions

Reflect on a time when you held onto a hurt. How did it affect your relationship with God and others? What steps can you take to let go of that hurt now? [11:29]
The sermon mentions that happiness is a choice. What practical steps can you take this week to choose happiness over resentment? [13:52]
Consider someone you need to forgive. What is one action you can take this week to begin the process of forgiveness? [35:16]
How can you apply the principle of "nailing your bitterness to the cross" in your daily life? What does this look like practically for you? [42:06]
The sermon challenges us to give our hurts to God. What is one hurt you are willing to give to God today, and how will you do it? [27:31]
Think about your speech this past week. Were there moments when your words were not kind or gracious? How can you change this moving forward? [38:37]
The sermon suggests a media fast to reduce anger and frustration. Is this something you would consider? Why or why not, and how might it impact your life? [32:07]

Sermon Clips

We live on a planet where everything is broken by sin and we're all sinners, we're all imperfect people. You're going to be hurt a lot in life. In fact, you've undoubtedly already been hurt many, many times in life. But the real question is what do you do with that hurt? Do you hold on to it in your heart? [00:49:12]

James tells us this in James chapter 1, verse 20. He says if you're angry, you cannot do any of the good things that God wants done. Did you hear that? This is such a powerful verse. If you're angry, you cannot do any of the things God wants done. Such a powerful verse. [00:37:36]

My happiness is stopped dead in its tracks the moment that I choose to get upset with somebody, the moment I choose to get resentful or bear a grudge, or you know have some kind of thing against you is the moment that I choose unhappiness. Now the fact is happiness is a choice. [00:13:56]

Bitterness doesn't just choke out your happiness, it doesn't just choke out your emotions, it strangles your spirit, it suffocates your spirit. You know during COVID people who get the pandemic disease often say I can't breathe. But when you have bitterness in your heart you can't breathe spiritually. [00:15:04]

Anytime I hold a grudge, it's gonna hurt many people. It's gonna hurt many people. You see, unfortunately, resentment, like COVID-19, is contagious, and bitterness is a communicable disease. It can be spread verbally and you can give it to other people by the way you talk. [00:20:22]

Anytime I won't forgive, I won't let it go, I block God's forgiveness in my own life. Anytime I won't forgive you for some hurt you've done, I block God's forgiveness in my life. Now look at this verse in Matthew 6:15, Jesus says this, if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins. [00:25:05]

Give it to God. Let him handle it. Unload it on the Lord. Well, you say it like this: God, this hurt is too heavy for me to carry and I'm not smart enough to know what's the right thing to do about it, and I'll probably make a mess of it. So Father, I'm giving you this hurt. [00:27:31]

Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other just as in Christ God forgave you. He said, you know, be forgiving, remembering how much God has forgiven you. Be forgiving other. Then he says always be kind. Do you know that today is national kind speech day? [00:35:16]

Bitterness is a sin and resentment is a sin. They're not just peccadillos, they're evil. Jesus died for our sins, including your bitterness, and on the cross he took every sin of every human being, including all my bitterness, all my resentment. Where does the sin belong? It belongs on the cross. [00:42:06]

I now realize just say this in your mind I realize that when I harbor a hurt every time I do that I walk out of your will that human anger does not achieve God's righteous purpose. Help me to remember that when I retain resentment I halt my happiness, my heart shrinks and when I breathe bitterness I suffocate my spirit. [00:44:12]

I want to lift holy hands in prayer. I'm not going to avenge myself, I'm going to leave it to you. I'm giving this to you, God. Then I'm just going to let it drop and let it go so that you let drop and go things in my life where I've hurt others. I want you to heal me with your grace. [00:46:12]

Say replace my anger with your peace, say replace my resentment with your grace, heal my heart, heal my mind, heal my body and save me as much as I know how Jesus Christ I give my life to you and I pray this humbly in your name amen. [00:47:50]

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