It is conceivable that we can attain such a degree of spirituality that no one can hurt us by anything they say. That possibly seems a long way off for most of us. But it is obvious that, unless we start moving towards such a position, we can never attain it.

The Need For Perseverance

This is still worth saying, because it underlines the fact that we do need to start moving — and to keep moving. So:

For this very reason, make every effort to add to ... knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance... (2 Peter 1:5, NIV) )

But the perseverance here is not to persevere in being hurt, nor even to persevere in putting up with being hurt. It is to persevere in learning how to deal effectively with the hurt, how to avoid the hurt, even when it is inflicted on us. There are two principle ways within a traditional development of Christian spirituality:

1.to lay it off on the Lord; or

2.to use it to identify with the suffering of Jesus, which is an opportunity presented to us by such events.

Laying It Off

To lay it off on the Lord means to take the hurt and, in some way, shift it onto the willing shoulders of Jesus. We can ask to be relieved of the hurt. This is essentially a prayer for healing, specifically for inner healing, by saying “Lord, I ask you to take this hurt from me”, or “Lord, I give this to you” or by using some similar phrase.

If hurts are being inflicted upon us, there are many scripture to use in calling upon the Lord for help, to be delivered from the hurts. e.g.

The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you.

(Psalms 9: 9, 10, NIV )

Such passages are of tremendous power to those of faith.

Identify With The Sufferings Of Jesus

The second approach is initially to accept the hurt and to deal with it using a quite different method. Do you remember the ninth beatitude? Oh, yes, there is a ninth (although many people only refer only to eight) for

“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, NIV)

This is an important scripture to remember when you are under attack, if it is specifically because of your allegiance to Jesus Christ — whether the attack be from non-Christians or, as unfortunately sometimes happens, from fellow Christians.

In such circumstances: blessed are you, for you are suffering as Jesus suffered, for he also was a great prophet. Thank God for the privilege of being to experience what Jesus had to undergo so many times. Every time he stood up to speak, for example, there were Pharisees, scribes, priests, hanging on his every word — not because of his wisdom, but so that they could attack him, insult him, discredit him. Can you turn your suffering at the hands of others into great joy because of the privilege afforded you, to suffer as Jesus suffered?

In this way, the hurts are not so much laid off as converted into great graces by the way we receive them. If we can grow into this, no-one can every harm us, because every harm, intended or otherwise, become a great source of blessing! The breastplate of righteousness covers our entire body and we stand unassailed by the enemy. Then we really know the meaning of Paul’s words:

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

(Romans 8:28, NIV )

This is not an easy method. Its secrets will not be acquired in a day — nor in a year! It is not for the spiritually squeamish. Our armour is destroyed when we begin to tell others about what we have suffered — even more, if we tell them about how we have dealt with it. It is of the essence that our suffering is known to us and to God alone — and he is the only other one who needs to know, who can know. But our growth in union with God will surely be accelerated. The great secret is to find joy in suffering because it so aligns us with Jesus.