This Year, Live by the Beatitudes (5)
“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.” Mt 5:7 NKJV
Hurting an enemy puts you beneath them; taking revenge makes you even with them; forgiving sets you above them. The Bible says, “Never take revenge. Leave that to…God” (Ro 12:19 NLT). Revenge is not sweet; it leaves a bitter taste. It keeps you in such a constant stew that you’re not able to enjoy God’s blessing. Don’t let that happen to you. Instead choose to: (1) Forgive and forget. Unforgiveness just keeps you on the treadmill of resentment. Why is it so important to you to make others wrong and yourself right? If you’re right but miserable, what good is it? Listen to Christ’s words: “If you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you” (Mt 6:14 NKJV). Charles Spurgeon said, “When you bury a mad dog don’t leave his tail above the ground.” So forgive, bury it and move on. (2) Deal with the root of your anger. Sometimes the source of our anger is hidden from us; we are “acting out” the unresolved hurts within us. Exaggerated anger is often displaced anger. Instead of dealing with the person who hurt us, we vent our wrath on those closest to us. Ask God to show you where the real issue lies and help you to deal with it. (3) Take back your power. Mercy heals, but unforgiveness makes you a perpetual victim. Plus, while you’re obsessing over the event and planning your payback, the other person is out enjoying life. God has promised you justice, so leave it in His hands. In fact, the only people you should consider getting even with, are those who’ve helped you.
January 5, 2013 | Permalink7 Responses to This Year, Live by the Beatitudes (5)
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Ashley says:
This Blessed me!
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Leila Linton says:
Thank you for much for your words,this is what I really need to apply to life this moment
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Tamara says:
Now this devotional really helped me!I especially liked the last statement; …consider getting even with those who’ve HELPED you!
I must admit I have never thought of doing that– THANKS!:) -
Nicole says:
Grateful that I saw this at this moment in time, needed it! And yes, time does heal. I realized that in my anger, I had to forgive because God wouldn’t be able to use me in the healing of other people.
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Cindy Flores says:
I feel like people of the body of Christ in particular receive hurt from our own and then the enemy uses it against them and the body. It is so important to work out the situation in love instead of leaving a church over matters that could easily be reconciled. Let Christ be formed in you and do not allow the wicked one to leave a wedge between you and your brother or sister in Christ. Sometimes I feel like we can forgive others much quicker than those in the church. Seek the Lord about this. Great peace have they that love thy law and nothing shall offend them.
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Clark says:
Clark
The reading today was powerful and convicting. This hits home for me. If all I read was, hurting an enemy puts you beneath them; taking revenge makes you even with them; and forgiving sets you above them, then that’s absolute food for the soul. So thankful for his grace and mercy.
Commit to forgiveness daily. Take control of your thoughts, focus on Jesus, we are made righteous through His blood. Time heals, but some days it’s difficult to deal with the hurt.