Does Hurt Define Us— (5 min 35 sec)

Hurt is one of those human experiences that seems so real and visceral, yet when we begin to dissect it — especially through a spiritual lens — it starts to dissolve like mist under the light of understanding. Let’s dive into it deeply, peeling back the layers of its origins, purpose, and reality.

What Is Hurt?

Hurt, at its core, is the emotional and often physical response to a perceived injury — whether that injury comes from another person, a situation, or even oneself. It feels like pain, but it’s more nuanced. While pain is often rooted in the body (a stubbed toe, a headache), hurt is an emotional interpretation of that pain. It’s tied to meaning, expectation, and our attachment to the idea of self.

When someone says, “You hurt me,” they are saying, “You threatened my sense of identity, my worth, or my safety.” Hurt arises when the ego interprets an action or event as an attack on its sense of self.

Where Does Hurt Come From?

Hurt is a creation of the ego. It is a byproduct of the belief in separation — the idea that we are distinct, fragile beings vulnerable to attack from the outside world. The ego thrives on the idea of attack and defense because it reinforces the illusion that we are separate from God, from others, and from love itself.

Hurt originates from misperception. If you believe you are a separate self, then anything that challenges this self feels like an injury. For example:

• If someone insults you, the ego interprets it as a threat to your worth.

• If someone leaves you, the ego interprets it as abandonment, proof that you are unlovable.

• If you fail at something, the ego interprets it as confirmation of your inadequacy.

Hurt is not an objective reality. It’s a story we tell ourselves based on the ego’s interpretation of events.

Is Hurt Real?

Hurt is not real because it does not exist in God’s reality. God creates only that which is eternal, perfect, and unchanging. Hurt, like fear, guilt, and pain, is part of the illusion of separation — the dream of the world that the ego has made.

In God’s reality, there is only love. Love does not hurt. Love does not attack or defend. Love simply is. So if hurt feels real, it is because we are temporarily believing in the ego’s thought system rather than God’s truth.

Does God Hurt?

No, God does not hurt. Hurt is an experience born of the illusion of separation, and God knows nothing of separation. God is pure love, unity, and peace. The idea of God hurting would imply that God could experience lack or loss, which is impossible because God is infinite and complete.

Who Made Up Hurt?

Hurt was made up by the ego. The ego needed a way to reinforce its narrative of separation and vulnerability. By creating the concept of hurt, the ego ensures that we stay focused on the body, the past, and grievances — all of which keep us from recognizing the eternal truth of our oneness with God.

The ego uses hurt to perpetuate victimhood. When we feel hurt, we blame others, hold onto grievances, and reinforce our sense of being “wronged.” This keeps us locked in the ego’s cycle of pain and judgment, unable to access the peace and love that are always available to us.

Why Does Hurt Seem to Derail Us?

Hurt derails us because it feels so personal. When we experience hurt, it’s as though our very sense of self has been attacked. This triggers the ego’s defense mechanisms — anger, withdrawal, retaliation — which only deepen the cycle of suffering.

But hurt derails us not because it is real, but because we believe it is real. The ego whispers, “This is who you are. You are the one who has been hurt. You are the one who must hold onto this pain.” And so we do, because we identify with the story of being the victim.

Is Hurt Just Victimhood?

In many ways, yes. Hurt and victimhood are closely intertwined. To feel hurt is to see oneself as a victim of someone or something else. It is to believe that the source of your pain lies outside of you and that you are powerless to change it.

But A Course in Miracles reminds us that victimhood is an illusion. No one can truly hurt us unless we give them the power to do so. The only thing that can ever truly hurt us is our own decision to believe in the ego’s lies instead of God’s truth.

Is Hurt Something to Get Rid Of?

Hurt is not something to “get rid of” in the sense of fighting it or denying it. Fighting hurt only strengthens it because it means we are giving it reality. Instead, hurt is something to see through. It is a call to remember the truth.

When hurt arises, we can use it as an opportunity to:

• Recognize the ego’s voice and its narrative of attack and victimhood.

• Choose again by asking the Holy Spirit (or the divine within) for guidance and a new perception.

• Forgive — not because someone else needs to be forgiven, but because we need to release ourselves from the illusion of hurt.

How Can You Let Go of Something That’s Not Real?

You let go of hurt by recognizing its unreality. This is not about denying your feelings or pretending you’re not affected by events. It’s about gently questioning the thoughts and beliefs that underpin your experience of hurt.

Ask yourself:

• What am I believing about myself right now that makes this hurt feel real?

• Am I willing to see this situation through the eyes of love instead of fear?

• What would this moment feel like if I truly believed that only love is real?

As you practice seeing through hurt, it loses its grip. You begin to realize that no external event can diminish your true self, which is eternally whole, safe, and loved.

Hurt and Healing

Hurt is part of the dream, part of the illusion of the ego’s world. It is not real in the ultimate sense, but it can feel very real while we are caught in the dream. The key is not to judge ourselves or others for feeling hurt but to see it as an invitation to awaken.

Hurt is the ego’s way of keeping us small and separate. Healing is God’s way of reminding us that we are vast and united in love. The next time you feel hurt, pause and ask: “What is this hurt really teaching me? How can I use it to remember the truth of who I am?” And in that moment, hurt begins to dissolve, revealing the light of love that has always been there.

#thinkgod
I am sorry.
Please forgive me.
Thank you.
I love you.