This week I had my feelings hurt. Someone did something that I did not think was right and hurt not only me, but other members of my family as well. I don't like it when someone comes between me and one of my eleven kids. Or hurts one of my eleven.
I was angry. I was hurt. I desperately wanted to lash out. I felt I had every right to be harsh. Someone hurt my family.That's when God reminded me:
"A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger." Proverbs 15:1
My mom always told us that it was not wrong to be angry. She even told me as a little girl that I could be angry at her. It's what I did with the anger that matter. Had I used my anger this week to lash out and hurt others, the problem would have escalated into something far worse. Instead, by giving it to God, filling up with His joy and using gentle words, I was able to obey Him and not add to the problem.
"Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you." Ephesians 4:32
When someone does us wrong, it is hard to remain calm, forgive and be gentle towards them. But that is exactly what God wants. Lean on Him and fill up with His joy and compassion. When your feelings are hurt, be gentle.
Sweet Blessings~
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Great reminder. Being gentle and not lashing out is hard...especially when it involves family. But I've found that praying for the offender helps to soften my heart and helps open the door to forgiveness.
ReplyDeleteLet my words be few, let my words be few, let my words be few. I'm really trying to live this way. It's hard to hurt someone with my words when I'm not speaking. :)
ReplyDeleteYes, when someone hurts one of our loved ones it is so hard to be gentle but we need to obey God and do what He says. I have found it is harder to be gentle when someone hurts a loved one than when I am hurt. Eileen is right when we pray for the offender it helps to soften the heart and be able to forgive them. It is hard to pray for them the first time and the second time I pray for them it is easier and then the third time is easier and it comes to the point I enjoy praying for them. You know this is what happens when someone hurts one of God's children, He hurts for the one being hurt. Thanks for a gentle reminder, this is a great post. Blessings to you, Jenifer.
ReplyDeleteIt's so hard to forgive as Jesus does. As my father-in-law says--put them in the chair. He has an imaginary chair that he places people in when he needs to forgive them for something they've done to him.
ReplyDeleteIt's wonderful Jenifer, that you were able to open your heart to God and handle this situation instead of turning your hurt and anger to wrath. It's difficult sometimes to follow Christ's example in cases where our "defense mode" kicks in, and I'm very happy that you were able to. :-)
ReplyDeleteHave a Blessed Weekend!