People in your bad books!

Have you ever had someone do or say something that was unbelievably nasty and hurtful?

You can plan your sweet revenge. You can defend yourself to anyone who cares to listen. To me  it is sort of like having coke with extra hot salsa and chips, except in living colour. It adds acid to your heart. It does not bring the expected relief from the hurt and embarrassment they inflicted on you. Your revenge might be sweet for the moment, but it's really is the stuff that poisons your soul.

I have had my share of unkindness and hurtful things, said to me and about me. My natural response is to get even. I am good with words and pretty quick witted. I would be very good at getting even.

Maybe you are reading this and thinking " well, you never had your boyfriend/ girlfriend stolen from you", and you would be right. I never did. Nor would I stick with a guy who allowed himself to be stolen. You are worth more then that. Don't forget . 

It is incredible that according to the Bible Gods says" do not repay evil for evil" 1 Peter 3:9. If that does not shock you, it goes on to say, "do not return insult for insult"! Then if that was not mind blowing enough He says that we are to "bless" people. Imagine that. Blessing those who curse you! That sounds crazy doesn't it?

When nothing is really bugging you, no big deal. Different though when you have a big bee in your bonnet. I have an on going issue that is like a huge bee in my bonnet. I would love to retaliate for the grief this person has caused my family. It is not small and does not go away. I lost sleep when it all started. I was so mad!!  Finally, one day when I was walking my dog, I started to think about this passage. I didn't like what I was hearing. Yet.. this truth, was sinking into my heart. I started by praying and forgiving this person for the tremendous grief she had caused me. Did I want to forgive her? No. Did God want me to ? Yes. So.. Even with my teeth gritted I prayed. Then I started to pray Gods blessing on her. My anger which was chewing at me, slwoly started to ebb away. Is it all resolved? No... I wish it was. One day maybe. I have no idea how it will turn out. I do know this though; bitterness does not define me. I have peace where there was none.

How about you? Anyone in your bad books today? Maybe letting go and letting God take care of things? Forgive, bless, don't curse. Show kindness but be wise also. God asks kind of crazy sounding stuff of us. Yet, if you actually do it, it leads to peace.