Now, What Damage Does Your Life Encounter?

It may seem negative to talk about damage to your life, but what does it cost you when you are unaware, or refuse to see the effect of pain that you hide? Holding on to pain can warp you and cause a lot of injury to yourself, and to others.

I recently had an encounter with someone who said some very hurtful things to me. Some of them had truth in them from the past. Most was just spewing of anger and hurt. I had a choice to make in that moment, but because of the nature of the discussion, I felt vulnerable and let the hurt sink in.

I think I was in need of learning a valuable lesson. In the moment, I took the hurt in and harbored the pain. There was no real reason to harbor the pain other than to avoid the reality of my past choices. I have worked those out and know that I have changed, and I have asked for forgiveness. However, I cannot force someone to forgive. I can, however, forgive myself and more on, as I have.

The Consequences Of Harboring Pain

So what came of that hurt? The next day, I had a knot in my shoulder that was worse than any I had ever had in my life. The pain radiated to my head and back. I could barely function. This went on for more than a day. I was missing out on important activities. All of this because I took on a hurt that was no longer mine to bear.

I had almost immediately recognized the cause, but I was unwilling to accept it. “Could holding on to that pain really cause physical pain?” The thought bothered me until I took action and worked on letting go of that pain. Once I did, the shoulder was relieved of the intense pain. The rest of my body did not feel so blessed. I had hurt it, and it needed time to heal from the trauma.

The lesson was simple in nature. My response was slow. I realized an ability to heal. My words and actions do matter and can build up or destroy. Forgiveness is important to offer lest I continue the hurt I have received. I can forgive those who struggle to forgive.

Don’t Carry Injury Needlessly

You can learn from my mistakes. You are wise if you do. If you don’t, my words may come back to you right in the moment that they can help. I know I have recalled many a wise word in moments of feeling completely lost. Now, I hope you will take my advice today, but if not, store them away for the time when you are ready to put them into practice. I know the power of the painful lesson.