by Anne Graham Lotz
- Sometimes the deepest wounds are by those who also call themselves God’s children.
- If anyone could understand, it is our Savior. He was despised and rejected by those He came to save.
- When they hurled their insults at Him, he did not retaliate. He did not respond to the threats. He charged it to His Father.
- If anyone had a right to respond, retaliate and react, it was Jesus.
- Don’t let anyone rob you of the greatest treasure, which is a personal and passionate relationship with Jesus.
- Don’t reject the God of those that are rejecting you.
- Hagar was wounded by the family (Abraham and Sarah) by which came the heritage of our Jesus.
- Sarah was wounded because she could not have a child, and was probably looked down upon as a result. But now this wounded woman became a wounder to Hagar.
- Sarah, an exemplary woman in the Bible, wounded another person.
- After being wounded, if we think on it and live in it, we can easily slip into becoming a wounder.
- Hannah was mocked because she couldn’t have a child, but she chose to pray and talk to God instead of retaliate.
- Although a wounded person might not get over their hurt easily, you still should still ask forgiveness.
- Wounds can be contagious. Families and countries have taken sides and began wars and fights over past hates.
- Hagar did what seems to be the easiest when hurt, she ran. Though running may be the easiest answer, it doesn’t solve the problem.
- Instead of having imaginary conversations with your wounders, you must forgive or you will not heal.
- Place your eyes on the Healer rather than the scars of your wounders.
- Wounds have a way of festering if you don’t let them heal.
- As did Hagar, there must be a time to stop crying and start crying out.
- God told Hagar to go lift up her son Ishmael after she ran away. It doesn’t seem to make sense that lifting a person during your own turmoil can relieve your pain. Yet God seems to use that method. Who can you lift up? Who is your Ishmael, one that needs your hand?
- Allow God to use this valley to open your eyes. Don’t let the pain or hurt blind you from what God wants you to see.
- God opened Hagar’s eyes to see water. Had the water been there the whole time?
- The hurt can broaden your heart, deepen your compassion, refocus your purpose and draw you nigh to God.
- God can give you a vision in your valley.
- You can not move forward by looking backwards.
- Look up and look ahead. You cannot move forward by looking backwards.
- When Jesus was on the cross, He said, “Father forgive them.” How could you not forgive those who wounded you?