(Introduction)

Life. It's a beautiful gift, but it's also marked by moments that shake us to our core, experiences

that bring tears and pain. We all face trials; the Bible promises trouble for those who live and are

born. But what is trouble? What is hurt? Hurt can be internal, deeper than any visible wound.

Think of a time when you were physically hurt, but the emotional sting was even worse. I

remember a basketball practice where I fell hard, but the embarrassment of the whole team

watching was what really hurt. We all have those moments—situations that haunt us, that rock us

to our core. For me, that fall made me hesitant on the court. For you, it might be a loud noise that

triggers a past trauma, even years later. These are the hard falls—financial, moral, relational

spiritual—that an ice pack, a six-pack, or even four ibuprofen can't fix. These are the hurts, th

hangups that linger, the bruises that never fade, the triggers that stay. Until we recognize these

wounds, true healing is impossible. What is your hurt? What is your trauma? What is your

mountain?

(I. Recognizing the Wounds)

Psalm 147:3 tells us, "He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds." We often hide our

harm, our broken hearts, our mistakes, masking the truth. Our wounds turn to worry, and we feel

unworthy of worship. We bury the past instead of working through the pain. Some of us are still

engaging in harmful behaviors, hiding the truth because we don't want to face the problem. We

hide what's harmed us, and it hurts us even more. "It's been 40 years, and I've never told

anyone...," some might say. "It was a family member, someone I trusted..." These unspoken

pains become explosives within us, ready to detonate. Some of us are still lying to ourselves,

avoiding the reality of our hurt. But if we don't deal with our pain, it will deal with us.

Emotionally, spiritually, physically, it takes a toll. Depression, anxiety, PTSD—these are real

consequences of unhealed hurt. The first step to healing is recognizing the hurt. Sometimes th

unseen hurt is the deepest.

(II. The Story of Hannah: Turning Hurt to the Healer)

Hannah knew what it was like when life hurt. She was barren, unable to have children, a pain

that went to her core. She wept and wouldn't eat (1 Samuel 1). Sometimes our pain is inflicted b

others. Hannah's pain wasn't something she did; it was something that happened to her. Her

husband, Elkanah, tried to comfort her, but his words missed the mark. "Am I not better than ten

sons?" he asked. What if this was God saying, "Hannah, am I not enough?" We often try to

replace God. Elkanah meant well, but he didn't understand her pain. When hurt walks into a

room, we should lift people up, not push them down. Calling out their pain, shaming their pain,

never helps. We must be present through the pain. Sometimes the best thing we can do is simply

say, "I'm here for you." That's what God says: "I will never leave you nor forsake you." Hannah,

in her bitterness of soul, prayed to the Lord (1 Samuel 1:10-11). She turned her hurt to her healer,

Jehovah-Rapha. Healing doesn't begin until we welcome the healer into our storm. Some of us

still think we can handle the hurt alone. We weren't made to carry these burdens alone. Hannah

cried out, "Lord, I need you!" She acknowledged her pain and released it to God. Have you

realized your pain? Have you released your pain?

(III. Receiving His Promise: The Path to Healing)

Hannah sought the Lord with her problem. She didn't fight the battle alone. Some of us hav

hurts we need to heal from. I held onto something that rocked me for seven years before I finall

cried out, "Lord, I need your help!" Where does our help come from? The Maker of heaven and

earth! Jeremiah 29:11 reminds us, "For I know the plans I have for you... plans to prosper you

and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." This is God's promise. We must

receive it. Isaiah 41:10: "So do not fear, for I am with you..." Romans 8:28: "And we know that

in all things God works for the good..." 2 Peter 1:4: "Through these he has given us his very

great and precious promises..." Philippians 4:19: "And my God will meet all your needs..."

Psalm 37:4: "Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart." Isaiah

40:31: "But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength..." Psalm 145:14: "The Lord

upholds all who fall..." Psalm 34:18-19: "The Lord is close to the brokenhearted..." Psalm

37:24: "Though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand." These

are not just words; they are promises. They are the foundation of our healing.

(IV. The Impact of Hurt and the Power of Community)

Our hurt can have a ripple effect (Proverbs 18:14). An unexamined hurt can impact those around

us—our families, our friends, our communities. It can manifest in anger, bitterness, isolation. It

can even affect our physical health. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 speaks of God's comfort, which enables

us to comfort others. We are called to carry each other's burdens (Galatians 6:2). We need a

community of empathy and understanding, a place where we can be vulnerable and find support

Healing is a journey, not a destination. It requires courage, vulnerability, and a willingness to

lean on God and on one another.

(V. Forgiveness: Breaking the Chains)

Forgiveness is a crucial part of the healing process. It's not about condoning what happened, but

about releasing the resentment that binds us. Ephesians 4:32: "Be kind and compassionate...

forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you." Forgiveness is a choice, a process. It's

about letting go of the hurt and bitterness that poisons our hearts. Colossians 3:13: "Bear with

each other and forgive one another... Forgive as the Lord forgave you." Just as God forgave us,

we are called to forgive others. Matthew 6:14-15 reminds us of the connection between receiving

forgiveness and extending it. Forgiveness is not easy, but it is essential for our own healing.

(VI. Restoration and Freedom: Embracing a Healed Identity)

God promises restoration (Joel 2:25). He can redeem even the most broken parts of our lives.

Psalm 34:18: "The Lord is close to the brokenhearted..." The healing process takes time, but

God is with us every step of the way. Galatians 6:2 encourages us to carry each other's burdens.

We need community in this journey. John 8:36: "So if the Son sets you free, you will be free

indeed." Healing brings freedom – freedom from the pain of the past, freedom to live fully in the

present. Philippians 4:13: "I can do all this through him who gives me strength." A healed

identity is an empowered identity. We can then become agents of healing for others (2

Corinthians 1:4).

(Conclusion)

The journey of healing is not easy, but it is possible. It begins with recognizing our wounds,

releasing them to God, and receiving His promises. It involves forgiveness, restoration, and

embracing a healed identity. We are not meant to walk this path alone. We need God, and we

need each other. Let us be a community of compassion, offering support and encouragement to

those who are hurting. Let us walk in freedom, knowing that God is with us, healing us, and

restoring us.