“Hurting people hurt people.”
I first heard that back in 2007 from one of my Christian Counseling professors. It was during the course that dealt with toxic people and relationships. It struck me so hard. I’ll never forget it.
That statement brought such clarity. It cleared up confusions that dated back to childhood school days and helped me begin seeing things from a different perspective. It helped me forgive on a new level. Forgiveness does not negate wrongdoings, nor does it dismiss them as “okay”. What forgiveness does is so much deeper. It brings healing on a personal level.
Hurting people need healing. Until they get healed, they remain broken somewhere inside. From that place of brokenness, they lash out, either in words or actions. So, they become toxic. Some more than others. And the longer the hurt goes undetected or ignored, the worse it gets. It becomes a seething, breathing, unapologetic toxicity.
If you find yourself hurting people at times with your words and/or actions; if you find yourself wanting to see someone else hurt or feel pain; if even though you feel bad about it, you’re hurting the very ones closest to you, at times; if you find yourself begrudging someone else’s happiness, ask the Lord to bring healing to your heart. Ask Him to baptize you in His love. You are hurting. Believe me, you are hurting. Only God can bring wholeness to your heart. Turn to Him. Allow Him to heal you. When you open yourself to Him, make yourself vulnerable in His presence, He will touch and heal you. Then, you’ll become toxic-free and people can be free to be around you!
*I Cor. 13:4-7, “Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.”
———————————————-
For more encouraging and inspirational articles, visit KeithNix.org.
