Bugging Or Hugging?

Your speech should always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you should answer each person. Colossians 4:6

Have you ever been told by a family member or friend the lovely endearing words “stop bugging me” or “you’re blowing up my phone” and ouch, you may take a step back and say “did I do something to deserve that” and the answer would be quite simply be a hearty “no” as no one deserves verbal abuse. And I mean no one. 

Being ugly is never justified and hurtful words are like sharp daggers piercing your very soul. The old saying was “if you have nothing good to say then say nothing at all” and that needs to be instilled in children from an early age. Bible teacher Joyce Meyer teaches on the danger of the tongue and the power of words a good deal and she says they are containers for power. 

Deep down if you know your words have wounded someone apologize to them. We all have bad days but taking our junk out on those in our path is not the route to take. If you have been hurt by someone and somehow they feel justified and never apologize then you can still choose to let it go and forgive. Be a hugger not a hurter. Hug others with your soothing words of encouragement and love. 

PRAYER: Father I choose to forgive any person in my past who has belittled me, shamed me, guilted me, trudged on me with hateful words and be a person who can shine your light to everyone in my path. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Unforgiveness In Your Heart?

 For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. Matthew 6:14-15

I say I have no unforgiveness but I was wounded in my heart by a former friend and sometimes feel like just snubbing her. Is that right? Certainly not. I know when feelings like that crop up I have to rebuke the enemy for even making me think ungodly thoughts and press on to a loving and kind attitude.

The verse today indicates we are to forgive. Think of Jesus being mocked, spat upon, stripped, lashed with whips, cursed at, yet what did he say? "Father forgive them for they know not what they do." It is easy to hate but much harder to show true love especially  when the recipient may not care about you at all.

Who do you need to forgive today? Sometimes a person may be unaware they ever hurt you but you still have to move on and let the healing begin.

PRAYER: Forgive me Lord when I have had wrong thoughts about people. Help me remember to always pray and continue to love even when that love is not returned. In Jesus' name. Amen.