Colossians 3:13, “Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”
The fact that you are following Jesus does not make you immune to words that can wound, opportunities that can offend and relationships that can cause reproach. What you have passed through, while living in this imperfect world, may have caused you real pain, but it will only poison you to the degree that you believe in the lie that it defines you.
Instead, make the most of your pain! You can put the best construction on it with the help of the Holy Spirit. You make the most of your pain when you use it as fuel to help others who are going through the same. Sometimes helping others overcome their hurt is the key to overcoming yours. As Apostle Paul admonished the Church in Romans 12:21, “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” So, to help you through your hurts, channel that hurt into help. Don’t be scared to turn your scars into service.
The carnal mind will always find a ground for justifying unforgiveness without the help of the Holy Spirit. Instead, surrender unforgiveness totally to the Holy Spirit because He’s ready to help your weaknesses. Forgive as the Lord has forgiven you and see Him turn your scars to service and your pain to praise.
Prayer: Ask the Holy Spirit to open your eyes to identify those areas you need to change and those people you need to forgive. In Jesus’ Name, amen.