My last post was a story of Watchman Nee and how the Christians in China were encouraged to do more than turn the other cheek and forgive seventy times seven. They were challenged to go the extra mile in serving and loving those who stole from them, insulted them or offended them: to repay evil with good.
I have so much to learn in this area. I really try not to retaliate and think I do a pretty good job. But I don't go the extra mile in loving those who hurt me.
We've all been hurt, I'm not the only one. Most people who hurt us do so only because we give them that place of importance or love in our hearts. So, it takes a lot of heart to reach out and love back. For, in loving, we open up our hearts to be hurt again.
Yet, that is what Jesus did. He loved us so much that he was beaten, tortured and killed for us. How have I hurt Jesus today and this past week? How many times have I chosen sleep or work over time with Him? How many times have I rejected the hard teachings in His Word. In disobeying, I have turned my back on the One who opened his heart most to me.
This week, I am committed to loving God more, and to going out of my way to love those who have hurt or criticized me. And, the more I make love an active part of my mind, the more it will be come a part of my heart, slowly becoming a habit.
That is what is on my heart today. What is on yours? Please link your post, leave a comment, and read the link posted before yours. If you could kindly link back to this post, it will help grow this blog hop.
You are so right -- How many times have I chosen my anger out of love? How many times have I chosen to build a wall instead of allowing Jesus to protect me. Oh, too many times.
ReplyDeleteLove is so much stronger than anger. I need to remember that when I am faced with someone who has hurt me. To respond in love will do so much more good than if I respond with hate and bitterness. Thanks for the encouragment!
ReplyDeleteA hurt heart is a call to prayer!
ReplyDeleteI am just back from sick leave and catching up. I love your Watchman Nee story. And the cute cat and bird, are they yours?? Are they friends? Wishing you the best in the New Year!
ReplyDeleteLovely post
ReplyDeleteHi Shanda,
ReplyDeleteThere are certainly times in my life when I feel mistreated and attacked, but I believe that sometimes God places these individuals in my life as an opportunity to trust Him and go against my natural inclination to respond back with an eye-for-an-eye response. In spite of their actions, I know I need to show these hard to love people how much I love them, and how much God loves them. :)
Blessings and hugs,
Denise
That is a very challenging post...it is so much easier to avoid a difficult situation or person than to love them. Thank you for this important reminder.
ReplyDeleteOh, man, Shanda. This is such a hard subject. You are right that we all get hurt and sometimes even forgiveness seems impossible, but repaying good? Yikes! How can anyone get this right?
ReplyDeleteI should have written about praying for our enemies as this morning's blog post, because God has really been doing things in my heart about and through that. (Later this week maybe...)
ReplyDeleteLike Blue Cotton said, "A hurt heart is a call to prayer," and prayer we need to include is for those who hurt us. I really believe the repaying of good arises most freely after repeated times of this kind of intercession (though I know even that is a challenge!) God bless you, and thank you for this challenging post.
I can forgive, but I believe in consequences.
ReplyDeleteWorking on this.. as I do believe in Karma.. stopping by from F.L.A.G Happy New Year Shanda! what a great start!
ReplyDeleteHi Shanda - great encouragement to go the extra mile in our relationship with Christ.
ReplyDeleteGod bless
Tracy
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ReplyDeleteTrying again! These are such good thoughts! Just imagine what a better place this world would be if even just all of us as followers of Jesus lived this out. Good to be reminded - thank you.
ReplyDeleteSuch inspiration for a heart that desires to be real before God and others....enjoyed your post so much today! I can bring my little world, home, work place, grocery store to being a "better place" by choosing to suffer for the sake of LOVE
ReplyDeleteso convicting... for all he's done for us. He is longsuffering and worthy of our devotion.
ReplyDeleteLoving your posts. Yes, I want a better place. One free of hurt and disappointment. Forgiveness is key this side of heaven, but one day -- ah man -- the heavenlies where there is no pain, hurt, or disappointments. What a day that will be.
ReplyDeleteHi Shanda,
ReplyDeleteThank you. I enjoyed linking up with you today.
Jennifer
www.jenniferdougan.com
Encouraging.
ReplyDeleteThis was excellent and today is a good day to start. So happy I stopped by :)
ReplyDeleteI found you from Word Filled Wednesday at the Internet Cafe...what a great word for today. Thank you!
ReplyDeletejoy & blessings,
Alida
It is one of the hardest things, returning good for evil.
ReplyDelete