Day 30

Matthew 5:44 ~ “But I tell you to love your enemies and pray for anyone who mistreats you.” (CEV)

I have what my Pastor calls a “cut off spirit”. When people mistreat me, my first instinct is to cut them off and cut them out of my life. This defense mechanism, if you will, has been in place since I was young, a result of how poorly I was treated as a child. After being hurt over and over again, this became my way of escaping the pain; remove you from my life and pretend you don't exist. This is harsh I admit, but it’s how I deal, and I’m working daily to fix that. I’ve gotten better as I’ve grown in my Christianity, but I do not claim to have arrived, I am still pressing forward toward the mark! Today’s reminder is a big pill to swallow, but a necessary one. God wants us to love and pray for those who have mistreated us.  He wants us to love them through the misunderstandings. He wants us to pray for them when they hurt our feelings. He wants us to love them when they hate us. He wants us to pray for them when they plot against us. No matter what has been done, no matter who did it, we have to be obedient to God’s word.  Don’t withhold your goodness, even if you feel they don’t deserve it. Remember, blessed are those who are merciful, for they shall receive mercy! (Matthew 5:7)