(Romans 12:14) Bless those who persecute you; bless, and don’t curse.
persecute: to harass or punish in a manner designed to injure, grieve, or afflict.
bless: to ask divine favor for.
say what?! hmm... maybe i should have worked myself up to this one? it isn't like this is a new concept. but it is a lot easier to ignore what i'm supposed to do when i didn't just commit myself to learning this verse!
in my case, it seems no one persecutes me "just a little," it is always a lot. i have people in the past that have done horrible things to me. regardless, after time i have forgiven them. to clarify- for myself, so that i didn't have that eating away at me. i even can talk to them when the need arises without tearing their head off. doesn't mean i like them, but i honestly don't wish them ill. if they got run over by a bus i wouldn't celebrate or anything. i'd even pray for them. i'm talking after the forgiveness part, before i would probably drive the bus myself. not really. probably.
my struggle is when someone hurts someone i love, i just can't seem to get past it. my guard/attack rottweiler-self comes out. i am passionate about people close to my heart, it usually isn't a good idea to mess with them. Romans 12:14 says "bless those who persecute YOU" but i'm pretty sure that qualifies since there is extreme anger there. so i guess it is the same thing. dangit.
as i commit myself to this verse, it will be much harder than the last (like i said... maybe i should have waited on this one).
prayers welcome. i know i will be.
2 comments:
Each Christian much find her way through that rocky road, Jess. Often I find myself backtracking and having to get through it again.
My favorite scripture about that is Deut. 32:35--"It is mine to avenge; I will repay. In due time their foot will slip; their day of disaster is near and their doom rushes upon them."
For me it's a comfort knowing that what I can do isn't a breath in a windstorm to the way God will take care of the problem if I'm patient.
My only job is to forgive and forget. Period.
Matt: 6:14 For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.
I guess the key is loving God more than I love vengence.
Sorry for the sermon. I've preached it to myself lately!
Good luck my little Siesta! And thank you for sharing your sweet kiddo. He's a cutie pie!
thank you for the post!
it is the forget part that usually gets me.
i love deut. 32:35. i've also prayed quite a bit on Romans 12:19-21 "Don’t seek revenge yourselves, beloved, but give place to God’s wrath. For it is written, “Vengeance belongs to me; I will repay, says the Lord.”
thank you for the "sermon." :)) very much appreciated fellow siesta.
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