It's Not What They Do...

[Norma]

But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so? Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect. Matthew 5:44-48

Many of us think we can or try to justify our behavior towards others based on what ‘they’ did to us. We carry hurt, anger and disappointment around like it’s a badge of honor or rather justice. If someone asks us, “How come I don’t see you with so-and-so any more?” we are quick to list all the bad and unforgivable things that the person has done to us. Sometimes we get mad all over again just talking about them. Naturally, we feel justified in our actions and, more importantly, confident that we would never treat anyone like that person treated us. So, we go through life cutting folks off and cutting folks out of our lives. Truth be told, some of us are just ‘cussing’ folks out. Yet, we say our actions are justified. The saying goes: fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me. We are always making sure that no one makes a fool of us. I can remember someone saying: “You’re better than me. I’m no push over. They could never do me like they did you!” But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. Matthew 5:39

Some of us go as far as to make sure no one ever has the chance to hurt us by not letting anyone get close to us emotionally. The pain of betrayal is real and I don’t want to minimize your hurt. Some have experienced infidelity in marriage; abuse (physical, mental and emotional) or someone abandoned you, someone betrayed you and it was the last person you thought it would be. We have been lied to and lied on. People even have the nerve to take our kindness for weakness time and time again. “Oh, but it won’t happen again,” we promise ourselves. We are going to make sure of that. The Lord says, To me belongeth vengeance and recompence; their foot shall slide in due time: for the day of their calamity is at hand, and the things that shall come upon them make haste. Deuteronomy 32:35 Yet we tell God, “I know how to handle these folks. They got the ‘right’ one this time. I’ll teach them not to mess with me!” We’ve all been there. My saying is, “I’m so mad I can’t see straight!” Some folks just don’t mean us any good… period. But even in that, the Word says: If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink: For thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the LORD shall reward thee. Proverbs 25:21-22

So what is the Christian supposed to do when someone cheats us, abuses us, and hurts us? Yeah, Jesus, now what? When are you going to get them? Did you see what they did to your child? But the LORD is with me as a mighty terrible one: therefore my persecutors shall stumble, and they shall not prevail: they shall be greatly ashamed; for they shall not prosper: their everlasting confusion shall never be forgotten. But, O LORD of hosts, that triest the righteous, and seest the reins and the heart, let me see thy vengeance on them: for unto thee have I opened my cause. Jeremiah 20:11-12

When things happen to us, Jesus is the last one we tell. We get busy on that phone or email telling other people what happened to us. The Lord’s vengeance is the farthest thing from our minds. Why spend time telling mere mortals about problems and situations that they can’t resolve? Let the Lord do His will towards that person in His own good timing. We are to follow the example that Christ set. I’m not only talking about how He forgave the very people that crucified Him. I’m talking about how His own betray Him daily. I’m talking about US – you and me. Don’t we break His heart every time we go against His will? The very people who claim to love Him are betraying Him. What if God was quick-tempered like we are towards each other? Baby, you can never forgive anyone more than God forgives you! What gives you the right to hold a grudge against anyone? Who are you to not extend a kind word when things get heated between you and your child or you and your spouse? A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger. Proverbs 15:1 You cannot continue to let the mess that someone does mess you up. Do you not realize that when you allow folks to make you angry you are giving them power over you? No ma’am, no sir, don’t let anyone be able to control you or make you act like you don’t know Jesus. You see, we are set apart - in the world but not of the world. For thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God, and the LORD hath chosen thee to be a peculiar people unto himself, above all the nations that are upon the earth. Deuteronomy 14:2

It has never been between you and them anyway but it has always been between you and God. I challenge you to drop off that big bag of hurt, resentment and that spirit of unforgiving. It’s not for the benefit of the ones you hold a grudge against but for your own sake. Your bundle of hurt has imprisoned you. Let it go and free yourself. Rest assured, my beloved, on that great Day of Judgment Jesus is not going to ask you “What did they do?” but as sure as the Lord lives He will ask: “What did you do?”

Be encouraged, Saints!

Daddy’s Girl