Finding Freedom from Emotional Pain
Adapted from Managing Your Emotions
You have heard that it was said, “Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.” But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven.
Many of us have suffered emotional wounds over the course of our lives, or we may still be in emotional pain. These wounds can fester and cause us to struggle in various ways if we do not seek the healing God offers us.
Emotional wounds may come from abuse, rejection, abandonment, disappointment, criticism, judgment, or other types of hurt. If you have an emotional wound of any kind, I want you to know today that Jesus can heal you everywhere you hurt. According to the prophecy in Isaiah 61:1 (NIV), Jesus came to bind up the brokenhearted and to proclaim freedom for the captives. He heals our broken hearts and sets us free from pain and other forms of bondage. He also came to comfort all who mourn and to give us a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair (Isaiah 61:2–3).
To begin to heal emotionally, we need to make godly choices while we are still hurting. Pressing through our feelings in this way can be difficult, but it’s worth doing because it leads to freedom and wholeness. For example, according to today’s scripture, the world would tell us to love people who are good to us and hate our enemies. But this leads to bitterness. And bitterness is a negative emotion that keeps our pain fresh and prohibits us from feeling peaceful.
Jesus says to forgive those who have hurt us and to love and pray for our enemies. This is the way to peace, healing, and freedom.
Prayer of the Day: Thank You, Jesus, for teaching me to forgive so I can be healed and set free from emotional pain.
