Our Posture Towards Those That Hurt Us
“Let us create a culture where we surprise others with goodness despite what they have done to us.”
Romans 12:17-21 (The Message)
Don’t hit back; discover beauty in everyone. If you’ve got it in you, get along with everybody. Don’t insist on getting even; that’s not for you to do. “I’ll do the judging,” says God. “I’ll take care of it.”
Our Scriptures tell us that if you see your enemy hungry, go buy that person lunch, or if he’s thirsty, get him a drink. Your generosity will surprise him with goodness. Don’t let evil get the best of you; get the best of evil by doing good.
Reflection
How many times have you been hurt by someone and then despised being around them? Maybe you told your best friend about all the hurt they caused or that because of that hurt, you consider them your enemy. Maybe now every time you see them, you go out of your way to avoid them.
We’re all human, so most of us have probably done this at some point in our lives. I know I have. Sometimes it just feels good to hold a grudge against someone. To have a little bit of an attitude every time you see them. Just so you know that they know that you’re upset with them. Maybe that’s just me and my immaturity (it’s a process.) But my point is that every one of us has been hurt by another person and then been upset about it. That’s simply life as an imperfect being – a human being.
However, God clearly calls us to be kind to everyone DESPITE the hurt that they may have caused you. Jesus demonstrates this over and over in His life; not hurting the people who constantly tried everything to have Him killed is just one small example of this. This verse clearly tells us the same truth. We are not the ones who get to judge others based on their actions. We are not allowed to hate them and be nasty towards them. Instead, we are called to do nothing but love them, just like we would love a friend.
As Christians, we are called to live differently from the world around us. And what is a more powerful way to do this than by loving the “enemies” in our lives? Let us create a culture where we surprise others with goodness despite what they have done to us.
Action Steps
Prayer
God, give us hearts to love others despite the pain they may have caused us. I surrender my hurt and anger to You and ask You to replace it with love and healing. Allow me to show others the same love that You have shown me. Amen.
Don’t hit back; discover beauty in everyone. If you’ve got it in you, get along with everybody. Don’t insist on getting even; that’s not for you to do. “I’ll do the judging,” says God. “I’ll take care of it.”
Our Scriptures tell us that if you see your enemy hungry, go buy that person lunch, or if he’s thirsty, get him a drink. Your generosity will surprise him with goodness. Don’t let evil get the best of you; get the best of evil by doing good.
Reflection
How many times have you been hurt by someone and then despised being around them? Maybe you told your best friend about all the hurt they caused or that because of that hurt, you consider them your enemy. Maybe now every time you see them, you go out of your way to avoid them.
We’re all human, so most of us have probably done this at some point in our lives. I know I have. Sometimes it just feels good to hold a grudge against someone. To have a little bit of an attitude every time you see them. Just so you know that they know that you’re upset with them. Maybe that’s just me and my immaturity (it’s a process.) But my point is that every one of us has been hurt by another person and then been upset about it. That’s simply life as an imperfect being – a human being.
However, God clearly calls us to be kind to everyone DESPITE the hurt that they may have caused you. Jesus demonstrates this over and over in His life; not hurting the people who constantly tried everything to have Him killed is just one small example of this. This verse clearly tells us the same truth. We are not the ones who get to judge others based on their actions. We are not allowed to hate them and be nasty towards them. Instead, we are called to do nothing but love them, just like we would love a friend.
As Christians, we are called to live differently from the world around us. And what is a more powerful way to do this than by loving the “enemies” in our lives? Let us create a culture where we surprise others with goodness despite what they have done to us.
Action Steps
- Think about the people that have hurt you or caused you pain.
- Pray for them.
- Go out of your way to love them.
Prayer
God, give us hearts to love others despite the pain they may have caused us. I surrender my hurt and anger to You and ask You to replace it with love and healing. Allow me to show others the same love that You have shown me. Amen.
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