There was a chill in the air. It wasn’t the preacher ~ he and his sermon were fired up. The building was warm. The enthusiasm for worship was obvious. But for a few people hurt feelings had poured water on the Spirit’s flame.
Bringing people together and making them one was Christ’s prayer, “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you” (John 17:20-21).
When brethren differ with each other, and at the same time love the Lord, reconciliation is often a hug away. Paul tells us how to walk through hurt feelings:
“If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves” (Philippians 2:1-3).
The perfect answer to healing hurt feelings is running towards each other with out-stretched arms of love. It’s a God thing ~ outstretched arms of love!