A loved one said to me this week, “He hurt my feelings.”
To explain, the loved one is the more sensitive type. And the other person was a total stranger. Nonetheless, in an understanding way, this is what I said to comfort and encourage. I hope it helps you, too.
My father used to say, “There’s only two things in life you can count on: death and taxes.” Well, I’d like to add a third and fourth to that.
People will disappoint you. Whether friends, family, or total strangers, people will let you down; they will hurt your feelings; they will misunderstand you or misrepresent you. People cannot be counted on. You can count on that.
However, 99% of the time, this is not intentional. I mean, I have to believe that most people care and want to practice basic human kindness. So if someone hurts your feelings, they probably don’t even know they did. Or how they did. Especially if that person is a total stranger.
So what are you supposed to do with those hurt feelings? Turn them over to Jesus. Because the fourth thing you can count on is that Jesus loves you. He will never disappoint you, let you down, or misunderstand you. He will never leave you nor forsake you. (Hebrews 13:5) He is, can be, or will be your forever friend.
You may not be able to count on the kindness of others, but you can count on Jesus.
What a friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear! What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer! Oh, what peace we often forfeit, oh, what needless pain we bear, all because we do not carry everything to God in prayer!
Have we trials and temptations? Is there trouble anywhere? We should never be discouraged, take it to the Lord in prayer: Can we find a friend so faithful who will all our sorrows share? Jesus knows our every weakness, take it to the Lord in prayer.
Are we weak and heavy laden, cumbered with a load of care? Precious Saviour, still our refuge; take it to the Lord in prayer: Do thy friends despise, forsake thee? Take it to the Lord in prayer; In His arms He’ll take and shield thee; thou wilt find a solace there.*
*”What a Friend We Have in Jesus” by Charles C. Converse, 1832-1918
Blessings for a peaceful weekend,
This post is linked to Living Well Wednesdays and Thriving Thursdays.
Beautiful words in that song. So true!
Carol, thank you so much for the reminder. I have to keep remembering, If God is for us, who can be against us? All things are possible through Our Lord.
Have a blessed week-end.
Love this post. Thanks for sharing at Thriving Thursdays! So true that we’re over sensitive sometimes. I can be that way and I have to really try to give people the benefit of the doubt, like you say and realize that most times they aren’t doing it intentionally.
Thanks for coming by, Crystal. Glad to have found your link up and all the great encouragement, too.