It’s very likely that somebody offended you recently.
Whether with actions or words, their choice or choices wounded you or disgusted you or disrupted your day.
You didn’t like it at all and your inner voice started grumbling.
Perhaps even calculating a response.
Here’s a response you should consider.
Let it go.
Forgive him or her.
It’s the best choice for yourself and clearly the best choice for the offender.
This is not just me talking.
It’s what God wants.
“A person’s wisdom yields patience; it is to one’s glory to overlook an offense.” (Proverbs 19:11)
Of course, overlooking an offense doesn’t require our becoming a doormat to be stepped on repeatedly.
We should speak calmly, clearly and accurately of our request to be treated respectfully.
It’s just that we should not cling to a grudge because of somebody’s “garbage can” behavior toward us.
If Satan is tempting you to carry a bag of rocks around so that you might later beat somebody with it, please tell him that you’ve laid that bag at the altar of sacrifice.
By choosing to do so, you make clear that God’s will and your unhindered service to His Kingdom are more important than your pride.
God will surely see your choice for faith rather than for flesh and you’ll be adding bricks to your mansion over the hilltop.
As always, I love you
Martin
Great verse. Thanks for sharing!
Heard about this website during the sermon on 7-17-11.
Decided to check it out. The devotion from Friday hit me like a bag of rocks. On Friday I got unwelcome news on my job. I am a teacher. I was bitter, angry and very upset. But God has been dealing with me all weekend through people, and his wonderful MUSIC that heals me.
Then I read this devotion and God is right there again. God thank you from speaking to my heart and for speaking through Martin. Please help my heart to not be hard as stone.
Susan, this is a deeply moving note. I greatly appreciate the time that you took to express what was on your heart. The reliance upon God that you demonstrated in the note was inspiring to me. Please let me know more about your situation so that I might pray more specifically for you. And please come back to share with us at SouthWinds. Good-hearted people like you can help us to become more like the congregation that God desires. Have a blessed day.
Martin
Martin,
I greatly appreciate your time in responding. SouthWinds has and always will hold a special place in my heart. I used to attend regularly with my Mother. She went to God in July of 09 and although God has been with me all the while I have been dealing with severe depression. I believed I could praise and worship God through my heart at home and through music and nature which I can, but I have had trouble coming back to God’s house at SouthWinds. But by and by God and my family at SouthWinds have been working on my heart which is stubborn at best. God showed me a passage in His word that I needed to be back among believers. So I am trying to do that. The job situation God will handle, it just hurts right now. I have been teaching 4th grade Science for the past 4 years, which I LOVE. We got a new principal last year who did not make changes until now. Along with going through my grief process for Mom, my husband had 2 heart surgeries this past school year. One in Aug of 2010 and then again in Feb. of this year. I missed a lot, plus the school building makes people sick with all the mold, mildew, etc. From Jan to May I was on antibiotics for infections. I found out last Thursday he is moving me to 2nd grade Reading which I do not want. When I went to speak to him on Friday he was very flippant and uncaring saying I missed a lot even though he knew the reasons. I tried to explain the I have never taught Reading and he said Learn. So Friday I was angry and bitter. But as I said, God is healing and dealing with me through MUSIC, friends and His word. There is a song He gave me on Monday that I am trying to learn. Here are some of the words that cut me to the core:
Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops?
What if Your healing comes through tears
What if a thousand sleepless nights
Are what it takes to know You’re near?
What if trials of this life
Are Your mercies in disguise?
I am trying to look at my situation as His mercy in disguise, even though it is hard right now. It is 4AM and I am having trouble sleeping. I am sorry this is so long, but my fingers are having a mind of their own. Thank you for having a listening heart. Mom would have liked you and your spirit. She is my ANGEL now. Take care and thanks for touching my heart.
Susan