The other day, I was talking with a few of my friends and something came up that I honestly thought that I had let go of. After our conversation it continued to bother me. It was on my mind so much that it woke me up early the next morning. I had gotten upset with myself for talking about it and I just couldn’t shake it. I won’t say names because it would not bless anyone, but I do think we have all had friendships that have ended badly. Sometimes of our own doing and sometimes no fault of ours. For me, bringing it up allowed it to replay in my mind. And I would feel the sting, the hurt and the sadness from it all over again. A very painful season of losing a lot of friendships.
We can not hold on to things like this for too long because it can sometimes take our focus off the things that really matter and it can completely derail us from our assignments. Our God-given purposes. In Matthew 5:44 God tells us to love our enemies. Do you know why He told us that? He tells us that because people are not our enemies. He loves us all. He loves them, just like He loves us. He sees our hearts and he deals with each of us on the matters of the heart. We can not get in the way of that. In Ephesians 6, He tells us our enemies are not against flesh and blood. When we pray for His people even the ones that have hurt us, we are loving them. By not holding on to the offense and forgiving frees us, but it also frees it and them back to Him. We are only deceiving ourselves if we think we are exempt from falling short ourselves. We all need grace.
It had been a while since I had even thought about that season. Now, when I looked back on it what I realize is that I had learned so much from it. What I thought was a negative was actually a positive. It taught me a lot and even grew my faith. What talking with my friends about it actually did was to help me see that I was wrong for still holding on to it. I needed to completely let it go. So, for once and for all. I laid it down. I won’t ever talk about it again. I can’t tell you how healing and freeing this has been. Trusting and knowing that Jesus has it and He is using it to work all things for the good of those that love him, according to his purpose. God’s glory.
“But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” Matthew 5:44
“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” Ephesians 6:12
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” John 10:10
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28
“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. ” Ephesians 4:29
Zondervan NIV 2008 Update
Within this year I began a journey to lose weight. Not because I care what people think, but because I want to be spiritually, mentally and physically healthy for myself and for my family. It has been almost a year now and as of today I am down seventeen pounds.
People have been incredibly supportive. And I have had lots of opportunities to encourage and share with others on their journey. However, there have been moments when some one would say something that would stop me in my thoughts. Reminded that words can carry weight and if I was not careful I could easily pick up the weight of my own insecurity. I would question. Why would they say that to me? Was I really that overweight? It was then that I quickly realized that I had a choice. I could carry the weight of those words and let them feed into my own insecurity or I could choose to smile with complete sincerity and love in my heart. Our identity is not in the weight of words or in the weight of our own insecurity but our identity is in Christ alone and who He says we are. Everyday we get to choose. We can choose love, understanding, grace and kindness. And then give it ALL away!
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trust, always hopes, always perseveres.” 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 NIV
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” Galatians 5:22-23 NIV
