Hidden Hurts

By: Lisa Hodgins

Friday, September 12, 2025

Forgive as the Lord forgave you. Colossians 3:13

I’m usually a very happy person with a “Pollyanna” attitude. That label comes from a Disney movie called Pollyanna that was released in 1960. Pollyanna was an optimist, and she always saw the positive side of every situation.

But one day, something wasn’t right inside me. Have you ever had a day when your spirit felt unsettled? I was feeling sad and melancholy, but I didn’t know why. Later that night, I picked up a book by Billy Graham, and it opened to the chapter on forgiveness. As I read, Billy explained how unforgiveness keeps us from experiencing the joy of The Lord. He also pointed out it keeps us from drawing close to God.

A light came on as I read, and it seemed like every word was illuminated. I thought to myself, "that's it" I'm melancholy because I have hidden unforgiveness! But when I searched my mind, I honestly couldn’t think of anyone I hadn't forgiven. Then a thought came forward like a tiny light, getting brighter by the minute. I realized I was hanging on to a past hurt. The Lord showed me when I forgave my son, I hadn’t released the hurt that went along with it. I didn't realize it, but I was still hanging on to hurts from our prodigal son! He made some very poor choices in his past, and his destructive lifestyle definitely hurt our family. I thought I had completely forgiven him, but those hurts I was hanging on to were still affecting me. I realized they could eventually make me bitter, mean-spirited, and I could end up with a hardened heart.

Give your burdens to the Lord, and he will take care of you... Psalm 55:22 (NLT)

That's when I realized I wasn't completely trusting God in this area. When I repented and confessed my lack of trust to The Lord, my joy immediately returned. When I gave my burden to God, He comforted me and healed my wounded heart. When I think about forgiveness I'm reminded of Joseph. Joseph was innocent, but he was hurt, harmed, and mistreated. He didn't get bitter; He gave those hurts to God. When Joseph forgave his brothers, it restored their family and secured Israel's future. Like us, Joseph may not have felt like it, but he made the choice to forgive them anyway!

Be like Joseph and give your hurts to God. They are affecting your joy, even if they're hidden. Give them to God and ask Him to restore your joy!

Read: Psalm 19:14, Matthew 5:8