We all have times when we feel that we are abused by the people around us.
It's going to happen.
Whether driving down the road or getting in line at the grocery store, abuse will come.
When someone verbally abuses us, blessing them is seldom our natural reaction.
Our natural response is to strike back, to hurt them as much as they have hurt us.
Our pride goats us into returning hurt for hut and insult for insult.
We know that it's not the right thing to do, but inside we feel that we can't just sit there and take it; we've got to do something.
God knows that and that is why he tells us to continually depend upon the Holy Spirit to speak words of blessing to those who have hurt us.
"Bless those who persecute you," Jesus says, "bless and do not curse."
Tough stuff.
Difficult.
Sometimes almost impossible - in the natural.
However, if we do bless those who curse us, we receive a blessing in return.
It's in blessing them, or leaving them in the hands of God, in praying God's best for them, in praying that God will convict them of their abusive behavior that we receive release and joy and peace in our own hearts.
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1 comment:
I had an old friend who used to say, "Smile at your enemies and they'll hate you for it. Give them a good word and it'll eat them all day!" Well, at that time in my life, that was good advice...but I like Jesus' better!
Our Word is full of these types of what we would call contradictions: to be rich, give it all away (be poor); to be a leader, be a servant; to inherit the earth, be meek; to advance, be humble; to be first, be last; get hurt, turn the other cheek; get cursed, give blessing. I think the bottom line is just to love people...even when they don't love you. Serve people...even when they are selfish and abuse you. Give away your earthly riches to inherit great riches in heaven.
I love that we have a God who adores us, loves us, and gives us such guidance to make us better people, more in line with His example to us. For to save us, He gave His greatest treasure...Himself in the form of His Son. Can we do no less?
Love God, Love People! Good words for today and everyday.
Jon
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