“Extending undeserved favor to those who make your life miserable.” These words, spoken through the radio, have echoed in my heart since that day. God used those words to put me in my place, remind me to be humble and call me to obedience.
During a trying week when I felt trampled on and thrown aside, God reminded me that He is who builds me up when the world brings me down. It is God who gives me meaning and hope, and my response should be to glorify Him in all things.
Let me take you back to the start of my week, where a friend called me fat, and decided she did not need to apologize. That’s not an easy situation to get over. There is emotional and mental pain that goes with that.
Galatians 5 describes the flesh characteristics to watch out for, and to be honest, I responded with these: “anger, selfish ambitions, dissensions, factions,” (v.20). I held on to anger and bitterness because I was hurt. I did not want to talk to her until she apologized. I did not want to be around her because she had hurt me. Yet, that is not acting in the Spirit.
She is a friend, and she does not make my life miserable, but at the time, I felt miserable. But it was because I was allowing her words to define me, and I let my emotions choose my actions.
Gal. 5:22-23, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith,gentleness, self-control. Against such things there is no law.”
When we choose to let go of the bitterness we carry, God will heal our broken heart.
What defines you? What do you lean on for support? What do you trust in? May it be Christ alone.
Psalm 34:17-18
17 The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears,
and delivers them from all their troubles.
18 The Lord is near the brokenhearted;
He saves those crushed in spirit.