What do we do when someone hurts us to our core? When someone spreads rumors or lies about you that attack your character. When someone says destructive things to bring you down. When someone continues to bully you until you can’t remember who you are.

I could talk about how to forgive. I could talk about how to hold our tongues when our reaction is to tear them down as well. I could talk about how we’re supposed to offer more to our enemies. But as I sit here, personally hurting in this way, I know these don’t help.

It’s one thing to anticipate that spiritual warfare effects us. It’s another when we’re in the trenches, attacked from all sides. When it feels like we’ve just swallowed a plate of gravel and we’ve been knocked around so bad that everything hurts or we’re completely numb.

So as I lay awake in bed trying to make sense of the hurt, and understand the reasons why this happens, still hurting, I turn to Scripture. The only answer I have is found from several searches about hurting, hating, and healing.

I am praying for those of you who are hurting. My challenge, for those of you who are hurting so bad that you’re falling apart or that every breath you take seems shallow, say this out loud with me:  I acknowledge the hurt, and this pain is real to me. I understand the presence of hate, that Satan is a thief of joy and the world follows suit. But despite this, I hope for healing through this from Jesus.

“Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” -Matthew 5:11-12

“This is my command: Love each other. If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to this world it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.” -John 15:17-19

“These are the people that divide you, who follow mere instincts and do not have the spirit. But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life.” -Jude 1:19-21

“Lord be gracious to us; we long for you. Be our strength every morning, our salvation in times of distress.” Isaiah 33:2

“Lord my God, I called to you for help, and you healed me. You, Lord, brought me from the realm of the dead; you spared me from going down to the pit. Sing the praises of the Lord, you his faithful people; praise his holy name.” -Psalm 30:2-4