(Romans 12: 19-21, THE MESSAGE)
"Mamaaaaaa! She hit me." Well he hit me first!
Have you heard those words from your children or grandchildren? Or do you just remember saying them yourself? We then try to referee and make them apologize and hug each other. We try to make them tell each other that they love them so it will be all better. And the whole time we have hatred and revenge in our hearts toward someone who has wronged us.
We as adults don't have someone who is going to make us apologize or hug their necks or forgive and forget. The only person we have is the Holy Spirit as he convicts us and deals with our hearts and the Word of God as He tells us how to live and how to treat those who have offended us. Everyone has been offended at some time in their lives. Probably more than once.
What we cannot do is allow the offence to make us want to get revenge. That causes bitter feelings and can destroy us. Revenge always creates a negative cycle in relationships- you hurt me, I hurt you, you hurt me, etc. We may even think that ignoring our enemy is good enough, but God's Word tells us differently. We are to bless them, pray for them, love them, be at peace with them, and forgive them. When we bless them we are freed from the offense. As long as we hold bitterness or unforgiveness in our hearts toward someone, we are bound to that person.
So the challenge for you today is to think of someone who has wronged you or offended you. You don't have to think for long I am sure if there is someone. Begin to pray for that person and ask God to show you a way you can bless that person. No, it won't be easy if you try to do it in your own strength, but with God's help you will surprise yourself. Remember, when you bless them, you are freed from the offense.
