Old Wounds~

Do you have a hole in your heart?


Perhaps the wound is old.. and you're angry.
Or perhaps the wound is fresh... and you're hurt.

Part of you is broken, and the other part is bitter.
Part of you wants to cry, and part of you wants to fight.
The tears you cry are hot because they come from your heart, and there is a fire burning in your heart.
It's the fire of anger. It's blazing. It's consuming.
It's fames leap up under a steaming pot of revenge.


And you are left with a decision:"Do I put the fire out or heat it up? Dp I get over it or get even? Do I release it or resent it? If so, ask youserlf: Is it working? Has your hatred done you any good? Has your resentment brought you any relief, any peace? Has it granted you any joy?


Allow the hole in your heart to heal...

Max Lucado, The Devotional Bible

STUDY GUIDES
MATT 18:23-35

• Decribe the struggle between releasing or resenting someone after they've hurt you.

• explain how it benefits us to show mercy to others

• Why do u think God puts such a priority on our willingness to show mercy?

• How shld God's mercy to us impact the way we treat others?

• IN your own words, define judgment w/o mercy.

• What most often stands in the way of our showing mercy?

• What does showing mercy bring into our lives?

• To whom do I need to show mercy? How?