Forgive those who hurt you. God will pay you back with double the joy, double the victory. If you let the wrong go, then God will take what was meant for your harm and use it for your advantage.
TODAY’S WORD: It’s easy to be good to people who are good to us. But what about when someone does something deliberately to hurt you? It’s easy to get bitter, talk bad about them, and think about how you can get even with them.
Why would Jesus say that we should bless and do good to those who hurt us when they don’t deserve it? Because you’re blessing them for your own benefit, not theirs. God will show you mercy based on the mercy and kindness you show others. If you’re bitter and angry, you’ll get stuck.
Are you letting a disappointment, what somebody did to you, keep you from enjoying this day? Let it go. Life is happening. Today is a gift. Once we live this day, we can’t get it back. Don’t live angry and sit on the sidelines.
Time is too short to live bitter, offended. God knows what you didn’t get. He knows what wasn’t fair. Quit trying to make people pay you back. Go to God, and He’ll make it up to you.
Life is too short to go through it with bitterness poisoning your life. If you’ll let go of the hurt they inflicted and live out of a place of forgiveness, out of a place of wholeness, you’ll not only feel better, but that’s what allows the Creator of the universe to go to work and take you higher.
Take those ashes–your broken dreams, your hurts–put them into God’s hands and say, “God, it wasn’t fair. My dream didn’t work out, but I refuse to live life looking in the rearview mirror.” Release the bitterness, forgive that person who hurt you, and let go of the disappointments.
If you’ll just keep moving forward, being the best that you can be, God will give you favor and cause people to want to be good to you.
Give people the grace to change. Don’t judge their whole life on one season, one mistake. The mercy you show others is the mercy God’s going to show you.
If you’re bitter and angry, you’ll get stuck. I’m not saying you have to befriend them and allow them all access, but you need to get to the point where you let go of the offense and treat them with respect; you’re good to them, you’re kind.
Let God pay back the people who hurt you. You’re not the judge and jury. Leave it in God’s hands.
PRAYER FOR TODAY: “Father, thank You for all the mercy and forgiveness and protection You have shown me when I’ve done wrong. Help me to do good and bless those who have done me wrong. I’m putting them in Your hands, trusting that You’ll take me to new heights. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”
