Sometimes, life can really really seem to suck (sorry for lack of a better term) keyword seem, and no it really isn’t fair, but who said it would be? Sometimes it seems that we’ve done nothing to deserve what we’re dealt and while it may be very very realistic that we’ve been wronged by something or someone, guess what? Life doesn’t suck!!! Yayyy! How? Oh I’ll get to that, but first, to my question: how do we go about things in such a way that doesn’t harm us or others in the long run?
First things first (I’m the realist?) I don’t want to come across that it’s not ok to be mad, sad, frustrated or upset, because we are completely validated in our feelings. What I’m trying to get across is that in those human emotions how can we process them in a Godly way so that “in our anger we do not sin” (That’s a Psalm, look it up). Now I wouldn’t consider myself an easily angered person, but when circumstances do actually get me upset it’s typically for a very understandable reason. Anger for me is a rarity so if you ever somehow manage to achieve that, well congrats (#sarcasm) you’re one of very few and not sure about you friends, but I can completely relate to those out there who would’ve liked to rip a face or two off at some point in their life, but is that something Jesus wants us to do? I don’t think so. We especially don’t want to act or say things out of anger because 9 times out of 10 it’s something we’d regret and how does fueling more wrong to a wrong make it a right?
I think at some point in our lives we feel a little bit entitled. Or a lotta bit depending on the person. We have this mental ranking system of those who are worthy of our grace and those who are too far gone because they’ve wronged us too much or maybe too many times. Guess what though? Grace isn’t a right for us to withhold from others because we receive the gift and privilege of it daily when it’s the last thing we should be getting for our sinfulness. Could you imagine if God had our same way of thinking and we only had a limited amount of forgivenesses (is that a word?) that maxed out eventually at the terrible things we did? We’d all be in the same boat, most likely a sinking one.
The way we think has such an impact and that’s a concept that is hugely taken for granted. We allow people or circumstances to dwell in our hearts growing bitterness because we either a). Are still upset about it
b). Haven’t forgiven
c). Refuse to confront the situation
d). All of the above
In Scripture, Jesus presents so many new ways of thinking that go against the grain of society and for good reason. I mean, have y’all seen the discord in this world from the pridefulness of refusing to come together and work out our differences? Why do we have to be the same? Aren’t Christians supposed to be set apart? Sorry for all the questions, they’re mostly rhetorical but good to ponder. Matthew 5:21-22 says “You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘ Raca,’ (translatable to idiot) is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell.”
That seems pretty harsh, like anger = murder, but if we aren’t right with others then we aren’t right with God.
The Lord calls us to be people of reconciliation. Sometimes it’s not as simple as talking to them and they listen as in Matthew 18:15 “If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over.” Or maybe it is, which hopefully it is. If it’s not though we have to recognize that God will provide for us and He will make the path straight for us. Nothing that someone does messes up God’s plan for us. He saw that coming before you were born, so instead of focusing on that human emotion we can better channel it into, ok God how’re you using this situation to get me closer to YOU? Once we realize that, we can let go of that anger and frustration because of what God does for us and more importantly for what He’s already done.
Therefore we see as mentioned previously, life doesn’t have to suck! God gives us a way, there’s ALWAYS a way and that’s to Him. When we see Him for His glory, everything else on this earth falls away and we take notice of His presence and that no matter who or what is dragging us down, we are lifted by His grace and as Christians we are called to “pay it forward.” If any of you are at odds I challenge you to reconcile, and if that’s not possible right now, then I pray that you may find forgiveness in your heart to be at peace so God may work for your good. It’s not up to us friends. That in itself is a beautiful thing.
Follower on Fire 