Healing A Wounded Heart

Matters of the Heart

Healing a Wounded Heart

When wounded by others, how does my heart find healing?

The key to healing is forgiveness.

As Christ’s followers, we are expected to . . .   ἀφίημι

“Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him?

Up to seven times?”

Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times,

but up to seventy times seven (Matthew 18:21-22).”

(18:23-35)For this reason the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his slaves. 24When he had begun to settle them, one who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him. 25But since he did not have the means to repay, his lord commanded him to be sold, along with his wife and children and all that he had, and repayment to be made. 26So the slave fell to the ground and prostrated himself before him, saying, ‘Have patience with me and I will repay you everything.’ And the lord of that slave felt compassion and released him and forgave him the debt. 28But that slave went out and found one of his fellow slaves who owed him a hundred denarii; and he seized him and began to choke him, saying, ‘Pay back what you owe.’ 29So his fellow slave fell to the ground and began to plead with him, saying, ‘Have patience with me and I will repay you.’ 30But he was unwilling and went and threw him in prison until he should pay back what was owed. 31So when his fellow slaves saw what had happened, they were deeply grieved and came and reported to their lord all that had happened. 32Then summoning him, his lord said to him, ‘You wicked slave, I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. 33‘Should you not also have had mercy on your fellow slave, in the same way that I had mercy on you?’ 34And his lord, moved with anger, handed him over to the torturers until he should repay all that was owed him. 35My heavenly Father will also do the same to you, if each of you does not forgive his brother from your heart.”

Jesus expects us to . . .  Cancel the debt.

                                    Remove the chains.

Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors (Matthew 6:11-12).

As Christ’s followers, we are expected to . . .   Χαρίζομαι

Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you (Ephesians 4:32).

            Jesus expects us to extend grace.

Ephesians 4:31 Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice.

How is this possible? Remember . . .

            A wounded heart requires forgiveness.

            A wounded heart requires a wounded Healer.

For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God. Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen (Eph. 3:14-21).

            Jesus expects from us only what He enables.

Application  With Jesus’ help, choose each day to . . .

                        Throw the list away.

                        Cast the chains aside.

                        Extend what is undeserved.