Have you ever hurt people around you because of your pain? We are all guilty of it. Fiona explains how she was reminded of God’s grace during one of these moments. . .
“Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.” (2 Corinthians 4:16-17)
Things hadn’t been going very well. I had to go to the dentist unexpectedly and was in the dentist chair for over an hour. The whole time I was reclined in the chair, my back was hurting more and more. But, as the dentist reminded me, he had no choice, as he needed to work on my tooth.
As I sat there and my back continued to hurt more, I felt frustration which slowly began to turn into anger. Anger at having to be there, anger at not being able to sit in a dentist chair like a “normal” person, anger at having so many medical problems that this was another issue I was having to deal with. I sat there and simmered in my anger, allowing it to get the better of me.
My husband, who has always been so supportive and caring, came home from work later on that day. Little did he know what he was going to find when he walked into the house. Rather than the usual greeting of “Welcome home, how was your day”, he came home to a grouchy, irritable, and angry wife.
He made the mistake of asking how my day had gone and I told him–no detail was left out. I told him how sick and tired I was of all my health issues, how unfair I felt life was, and how I didn’t think anyone understood what it felt like to live with poor health. By the end of my rant, he probably wished he’d just stayed at the office!
As he tried to console me, I found myself not wanting to hear it. I wanted to sit and feel sorry for myself. I could see by his face that I had really hurt his feelings by rejecting his attempt to console me and I felt horrible. I suddenly realized how preoccupied I had been with myself and being in that mindset had closed off any possibility of receiving consolation and comfort from him or God. I quickly apologized to my husband and asked the Lord to forgive me for being so caught up in myself as I had not stopped to think about how my attitude was affecting others.
As my husband sat there and hugged me, the warmth I felt from his embrace consoled me and it reminded me of how God still loves us even when we are not acting very loveable. I was struck by how God’s grace reaches out to us even when we are being grouchy and irritable. God’s grace has no bounds, regardless of how we’re feeling or acting. His love is never ending!
Prayer: Heavenly Father, I pray that remind me that I need to allow you to operate through me when I’m having a bad day so that I don’t hurt people I love. Father, shine through me when I don’t feel good and show me when I need to have an attitude adjustment. Amen.
About the author:
Fiona Burky is a retired Licensed Clinical Counselor who lives in Ohio. It is only by God’s grace and strength that she has been able to endure her multiple health issues. You may view her blog at: http://fionab-growingbeyondyourpainfulpast.blogspot.com
We are all tempted to let our emotions loose and inadvertently hurt the people we care about. At these times, we need to pray (even when we don’t feel like it!), crying out to God for patience, endurance, and to love those we love. This song, “From the Inside Out” by Hillsong is a beautiful reminder that He will always be there when we call for Him.
What a great reminder. Thanks!
Fiona, thank you so much for the wonderful reminder. I had one of these moments yesterday when things started going wrong and my husband and teenage son had made mistakes and I was in pain. What a wonderful devotion to remind me~
Awesome reminder and what I needed today! Thanks so much!
I needed this reminder, thanks!
Just have to share this with everyone. Just had a man, from Africa, contact me somehow on Facebook and he told me how much this article and the accompanying music video really ministered to him. He said he had been crying as he is in such a bad situation and he said that this has given him the inspiration and encouragement to go on and not give up.
Please remember that we never know who ends up seeing these articles or how they help others. Please be praying for this site, that God will use it to reach and minister to more people. There are hurting people everywhere, and with the wonders of the internet, who knows who will come across something at just the right time to strengthen them regardless of where they are in the world!
Fiona Burky
Thanks Fiona….a great devotion & excellent reminder for me.
Sadly, I too have gone to that hurtful place with my hubby, my children & my friends!! It’s not easy being ill, but it’s also very difficult for my family. Praise God for unconditional love, patience & forgiveness!! Lotsoluv Kerryn
Thank you for this contribution. It was a challenge and encouragement to be reminded that not matter how weak I’m feeling and how short of breath that He is at work in me to achieve an eternal weight of glory, especially when I’m not concious of it. Help me to be more cheerful for my longsuffering wife ho s caring for me so much
Christina: I sure do understand how it can be so easy to unknowingly take our frustrations out on our loved ones. They put up with so much and try to help us and yet we turn around and hurt them somehow. Let’s both try to remember to love them, regardless of how much we hurt. This is where God is going to have to help us, both
Kerryn: God is so patient with us, especially when we don’t deserve it. Thank for reminding me to be conscious of not being impatient with God, in addition to my family!
Stuart: God bless you as you struggle with your weakness and breathing problems. I do believe He is at work in you, and works through you, even when you’re not aware of it! Let’s pray together that the Lord helps us all become more cheerful and patient with others as we’re dealing with our pain. Our loved ones do deserve better and we often forget that.
thank you Fiona
YOUR WORDS ARE SO HELPFUL!