Many times I have been guilty of believing that I am weak. This is because I respond to personal attacks and insults far differently than anyone I know. When others put themselves first, I am always left feeling guilty or questioning myself. I tend to second guess my responses numerous times after occurrences have past. I argue with myself internally and ask; Why can’t I be like them?, Why can’t I respond the way they would?, Why can I not give the nastiness back? Well, it’s because I am me. God created me to be different!

While I may at times want to respond the way others would when I am faced with disrespect, in my heart I know that I can’t.

We are called to forgive like Jesus, but again what does that mean?

Forgiving like Jesus means to forgive EVERYTHING and EVERYONE. It means forgiving all the time no matter who or what the situation or circumstances are.

Now, hold on a second. What about extreme situations such as murder, rape, child molestation? How on earth can we forgive those offenses? Only through strength that the Lord provides us with and even then, it may be the hardest thing we will ever have to do. And God loves us so much that he leaves it as our choice to do. He will never force us to follow him.

There are those who will say no way, never would I forgive such an offense. And I can understand that response, because that type of forgiveness is unimaginable. But with God, I know it has been possible for some.

Jesus taught that we are to forgive others just as he forgives us. He never placed a limitation on what or who should be forgiven.

Jesus was the ultimate mercy seat for every single one of us. He gave his life for all. So if we are to be like him, we too must extend mercy and grace to all who offend us. He never told us it would be easy, but he did tell us to go to God in prayer and ask him to forgive us just as we forgive those who sin against us (Matthew 6:12).

In this same chapter in the book of Matthew, Jesus told his people that their sins will not be forgiven by the father if they don’t forgive others:

“If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins.” - Matthew 6:14-15 NLT

Another version of the Bible explains it this way:

“In prayer there is a connection between what God does and what you do. You can’t get forgiveness from God, for instance, without also forgiving others. If you refuse to do your part, you cut yourself off from God’s part.” - Matthew 6:14-15 MSG

So we are called to live by grace and extend mercy to all, always. Otherwise, we ourselves will not be forgiven for our sins.

In Matthew 18:21-22, the Apostle Peter questioned Jesus on this very thing.

Then Peter came up and said to him, “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times.

Jesus is saying here that we must forgive over and over, continuously. Through our own strength we can’t do this. But the strength of the Lord will cover us in our weakness if we call upon his name and ask him to help us.

If you’re like me, striving not to meet others with the same disrespect they do to you, know that you are not weak. You are actually the opposite, you are strong. Take pride in this strength and continue to ask the Lord to help you continue to practice it over and over again if needed. For anyone can be reactive, but being like Jesus means forgiving and showing mercy, grace and strength. Do your best to not act out of your character, but rather continue to show the strength of the Lord at all times and in all things.

If a time comes when you fall short of this, don’t beat yourself up, repent and ask the Lord for forgiveness and then surrender the hurt and anger to the Lord and forgive your offender anyway.

God is showing me that as followers of Christ, we should always strive for peace. For when we do, rewards await us in Heaven.

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” - Matthew 5:9, 11-12 NIV

Father God, We thank you and we Honor you for always forgiving us no matter what we do or how much we continue to do it. Jesus, you gave your life for us and you continue to chase us with unrelenting love no matter how many times we mess up. We know that in this world we will have trials and tribulations, but we know that you are right there with us giving us the strength we need to get through. Lord we ask that you would continue to strengthen us during these difficult times and change our hearts to be more like yours so that we may be able to offer forgiveness to those who hurt or offend us. May we be wise and guard our hearts, but may we also be reminded to forgive those that offend or hurt us. Father God our flesh is weak, but we submit ourselves to you and ask that you would lead us and guide us so that we will walk in your purpose for our lives and ultimately love others as you love us. In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Growing with you,

Sandy

Please watch these video stories below from Mathew West. I pray they show you that even in the most devastating circumstances, forgiveness through the Lord’s strength is possible.

When we are trying to do right and live according to God’s will, the enemy will attack when you least expect it. When you are seeking the Lord, the enemy wants nothing more than to break you down and destroy you. Most times he will do this through people who are on a mission to break you, destroy your character, or desire to make you feel worthless. You must remember that we aren’t fighting against flesh but instead we are fighting against evil spirits.

“We are not fighting against humans. We are fighting against forces and authorities and against rulers of darkness and powers in the spiritual world.” - Ephesians 6:12 CEV

The enemy doesn’t want you happy or getting ahead in life, so you must be aware of his tactics. Recently, I reached out to someone with good intentions that were met with disrespect and nastiness when we couldn’t come to an agreement that made them happy. I chose not to engage and left the conversation, because I knew nothing good would come of it. I have held conversations with this individual numerous times asking for them not to speak to me disrespectfully; however, the individual still chooses to use words that exude hatred, so I am learning not to engage.

God will fight our battles for us if we allow him to. When you are in a battle you must have faith and trust that God is going before you and will fight for you. His word says you need only be still.

He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”- Psalms 46:10

When you are frustrated and overwhelmed or feel as though anger is taking over, that is when you must trust God the most. God will never leave us or forsake us, his desire is to protect us. Whatever is coming against you, he has got it! So give it to God and let his peace fall upon you.

If you come up against conflict with someone whose goal is to break you down, do not engage, walk away and let God handle it.

Our Lord desires for you to be at peace, so you must allow him to remove the frustration and trust him to go up against anyone or anything which comes against you.

In Jesus name, you must remind yourself that you are a child of God. You must remind yourself that God has your best interest at heart and he desires to protect you. No matter how frustrated or angry you become, do not go low and fight evil with evil. That is not who God is calling you to be.

Ask God for the strength to turn your back and remove yourself from situations or conversations which seek to attack and break you down. Trust God and have faith that he has got it.

“He said: “Listen, King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the Lord says to you: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s. Tomorrow march down against them. They will be climbing up by the Pass of Ziz, and you will find them at the end of the gorge in the Desert of Jeruel. You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you, Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the Lord will be with you.” - 2 Chronicles 20:15-17 NIV

You are never alone, the Lord us fighting for us and he us with us in every moment so call upon his name.

For the Lord your God is the One who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory. - Deuteronomy 20:4 (NIV) 

“They will fight against you, but will not overcome you for I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the Lord.” Jeremiah 1:19 (NIV) 

When someone constantly is at conflict with you, understand that it is not about you, the battle is within themselves. If someone constantly chooses conflict, it is because there is no peace living within.

The enemy seeks to use others to destroy us, and he would use anyone he can to do that, while also simultaneously using evil to destroy the individual from within. Have you heard the saying, “Kill two birds with one stone?” If allowed, the enemy will wreck havoc and destroy both of you at the same time.

Remember that we are fighting against that which is unseen and have been given God’s word as a sword against the enemy. His word says, when you resist the enemy he has to flee. So when you feel conflict attacking you through a person, rebuke the enemies plan and demand him to flee.

Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. James 4:7 (NIV)

When conflict arises walk away or discontinue conversation. We are not called to entertain insults or verbal abuse. Pray that they would come to know the Prince of Peace and do not allow them to take away your peace.

Father God, We know that you are love and we thank you Jesus for being the Prince of Peace. No matter how hard we try Lord, we know that there will be times that we cannot escape conflict and that there will be people who will resort to insults and nastiness in order to feel better about themselves and to try to win a battle they’ve created. Father, when these situations arise strengthen us so that we do not meet evil with evil. Give us your strength so that we may turn away and remove ourselves from situations and conversations that are not pleasing to you. Father, guard our hearts so that evil words will fall away without piercing our souls. Turn around all that the enemy means for evil. Remind us oh God that the battle is within themselves and that they need healing. Give us the strength Father to never take matters into our own hands and to trust that the battle is not ours but yours. In Jesus mighty name we pray, Amen

Growing with you,

Sandy