Hurt Doesn’t Have to Lead to Hate

*This devo goes along with our sermon series Faith - A Journey through Doubt, which can be watched here.

Day 2:

At a recent gathering, a painful moment reminded me how hurt can stay buried for years. Some people I grew up with no longer believe in Christ — not because they doubted God’s goodness, but because they were deeply hurt by people claiming to represent Him.

Hurt that’s left unhealed can easily turn into bitterness. And if we’re not careful, bitterness can build walls between us and God. But instead of allowing hurt to drive us away, we can allow it to drive us deeper into Jesus, the true healer.

People might fail us — they might misrepresent God — but Jesus never fails. His love remains perfect even when His people are not.

Prayer:

“Jesus, heal the hurts in my heart. Help me separate Your goodness from the imperfections of people. Teach me to trust You again, even when I’ve been wounded by others. Amen.”

Reflection Question:

Is there any hurt I’m carrying that might be creating distance between me and God? How can I begin to bring that pain to Him?

Want to go deeper? Explore this week's sermon in a small group, at family dinner, or with a friend over coffee. Download the Discussion Guide here.