Arrgh!!

I’m experiencing the difficulty of loving someone who wronged me.

Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbor, and hate thine enemy.  But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; that ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. 1

 

The Holy Spirit convicted me when I realized this person couldn’t wrong me unless the authority was given from heaven.2  I can see that God has prevented me from receiving the object of desire because of my wrong focus.  I thank Him but I’m still struggling.  I wasn’t deceptive with this person and he wronged me yet I can see that God has intervened to discipline me – that is if I’m willing to forgive and accept the truth.  Still, I’m stuck on the object of desire which is the cause of my deception.  I struggle some more while trying to read Hebrews. I can’t concentrate because I’m drawn back to what happened.  I choose to forgive.  I continue to read…

And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons?  My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him.  For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.”  It is for discipline that you have to endure.  God is treating you as sons.  For what son is there whom his father does not discipline?  If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons.  Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them.  Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live?  For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness.  For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.3

 

Discipline is for my good so that I can share in God’s holiness producing a harvest of righteousness and peace if I am trained by it!  Wow, this is far greater that the object of desire that will rust and fade away. I think I’ve found a pearl and I’m ready to sell my right to justice and forgive instead of storing up bitterness.

But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.4

 

Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it.5

 

My Prayer:  Forgive me, God, for setting up an idol and acting deceptively.  Thank you for preventing me from receiving it because of my wrong focus.  I forgive the man who wronged me.  I recognize You worked out the details for my good.  I humble myself before You.  I receive Your blessing of discipline. Thank You for Your love.  Thank You for correcting and expanding my focus.  Amen

10.03.11

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dale

A man, husband and father, struggling to be a blessing in the lives of others.

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