This week I choose to do something I didn’t want to do. My heart was restless as the date approached. I discussed the situation with a friend, and also with my wife. Then two days before the event my wife, my helpmate, said one word. As soon as I heard it, I knew. I knew what I had to do. I was thankful for her hearing God where I struggled.
You see, there are times when someone hurts you, and the pain goes deep into your heart. You tell them what they did, but they don’t care at all, and their pride keeps them from admitting wrong and apologizing. When this happens, you find yourself wanting to avoid them to protect your heart from future pain. As well, you don’t want to do anything for them, as you feel they do not deserve it. I had forgiven them, but I didn’t want to see them. I don’t mean to be so secret about the details, but I don’t want to give any clues that might identify the perp.
God’s word tells how to handle hurt:
Lay aside bitter words, temper tantrums, revenge, profanity, and insults. But instead be kind and affectionate toward one another. Has God graciously forgiven you? Then graciously forgive one another in the depths of Christ’s love. Ephesians 4:31-32 TPT
Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who hurt you. Luke 6:28 NLT
I did do the right thing, but I had to pray, a lot, and ask God for help. I also asked him to protect me, and help me not bring up the past while I was there. They did do one thing that bothered me while I was in their presence, but I left before the pain erupted. God is good at helping us in our time of need. His specialty is loving those who don’t deserve it.
If you are facing a similar situation, pray, and ask God to help you do the right thing that will glorify Him. You never know, but your loving kindness might just be the catalyst to change things around.
Copyright © 2020 Mark Brady. All rights reserved.
I would like to nominate April for “Wife of the Month”. For the month of September, she can use the special parking space. That is, if she was here in America, and if she could drive. She has completed the immigration process, but can’t take the final step because her country is still in “lock down” mode, so the U.S. Embassy isn’t doing interviews. Being separated is difficult, but I can see how God has used it for His glory thus far.
God’s love, flowing over your soul is like a soft quilt. You feel warmth, and soothing comfort. There does seem to be a reverent amount of satisfaction in saying, “I’m a child of God.” Walking around as if wearing a robe, a mantle, when once seen by others they know immediately you are royalty. They respond either with respect, or jealously, envy. They put themselves in a position to help you, or fight you. People can sense your anointing. Some are drawn to it, yet others run from it. It’s not in your control, it just happens.
A minister shared the story of his daughter, who was very young at the time, and in Africa, by herself. There was a native mother having trouble birthing her child. She was in great agony and screaming out. The village, female, witch doctor had her candles burning, incents smoking, while she recited “hocus pocus” chants. The young woman had enough and begged someone to go retrieve the American, who earlier had made her faith in God, known. The minister told us his daughter went there and surveyed the situation. She was barely 21 years old, and the only thing she could think of to do was sing the song, “In the Name of Jesus”. The witch doctor had a fit, and stormed out, at which point peace entered, the woman’s pain subsided, and she delivered her baby.
“The voice of the Spirit of God is as gentle as a summer breeze— so gentle that unless you are living in complete fellowship and oneness with God, you will never hear it.” – Oswald Chambers
There are lots of four letter words, and when we say, “four letter word” some go to a dark place and think of the ones that have a dirty meaning. (No, I’m not going to give you an example.)
Remember going to your mother, or father, and asking them to kiss your boo boo? To make it go away? Or do you remember your own child asking you? My son, when he was about one year old, fell on some hard plastic toys, and hurt his bum. He cried as he climbed up on the sofa, laid back holding his legs up in the air and said, “Mommy, kiss my butt.” We know a kiss from a loving parent didn’t do anything, but there is something comforting knowing one who loves you, knows you are hurting.
Most people recall Adam and Eve ate of the, Tree-of-Knowledge-of-Good-and-Evil, but there was another tree. It was the Tree-of-Life.