AVOIDING HURT AND PAIN

AVOIDING HURT AND PAIN

Have you been hurt by a friend or family member, perhaps a spouse? Sometimes people seem to push our buttons and want us to react. We can choose to fight back or we can turn the other cheek and ask God for the strength to diffuse the argument or whatever the situation is.

Romans 12:21 says "Don't let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good." So if someone is treating you badly try to be nice to them regardless. In Ephesians 4:26 it says "In your anger do not sin": Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry." Now this is harder to do perhaps at home with a spouse but you have to try your best. Anger and bitterness can fester whether in a marriage or in a friendship. Someone has to be the one to want to be the peacemaker. Satan of course wants fights and disagreements and conflicts to continue. In John 10:10 it says "The thief(Satan) comes only to kill, steal, and destroy ....". We need to realize who the real enemy is and in order to have peace forgiveness is necessary and a decision to forget the offense. Many people seem to not get this and can not let go. I knew of a family once in a huge conflict due to a misunderstanding but even though they were Christians no one could bring themselves to saying, " hey we need to give this up and make peace" It is hard to humble yourselves and even if you are not the one wrong ,you might have to be the one to make peace.

Humaness can get in the way of common sense. Matthew 12:25 says "Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them, "Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand." If conflicts continue things continue to fester and the only one getting any glory is the devil. Matthew 5:39 says "But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also." So basically we give up our rights to get even. It takes a humble person to end the fight. And it takes prayer.

PRAYER: Jesus thank you that you are here for us no matter what. When friends or family or even a stranger has hurt us you are there and love us and care for us. Thanks for being our true best friend. In Jesus Name. Amen.