Counsel #20 — Familiar Hurt

Picture: Counsel #20 — Familiar HurtCI 59.1

It’s not the random stranger or the rude coworker that shakes you the most. It’s the person whose opinion you once cherished, like a father whose words cut sharper than silence, or a friend who laughed when you shared something personal. These aren’t just moments of disrespect - they’re fractures in your sense of self-worth.CI 59.2

When people closest to you dismiss, criticize, or ignore you, the pain can bruise your heart and echo repeatedly in your thoughts. “Did I deserve that? Am I really the problem? If they really love me, how could they even do that to me?” It’s normal to think these things, but here’s what you need to know: God is with you! He sees the full weight of your worth, even when others miss it. When Peter denied Jesus, it was a betrayal from someone He loved deeply, but Jesus didn’t let that define His identity. He walked forward anyway, and you can do the same! Whenever someone close hurts you, don’t bury the hurt without acknowledging your feelings. Next, build boundaries such as emotional distance when needed to protect your peace. Lastly, remember that you are deeply loved by the One who created you.^{[59] https://www.heysigmund.com/relationships-when-family-hurts/} CI 59.3

“Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe.” Proverbs 29:25 NIVCI 59.4

“Friends will prove treacherous, and will betray us.” Ellen White in Maranatha, p. 197CI 59.5

Reflect: Have you allowed someone’s betrayal to define you?CI 59.6