He Started It!

Reading: Luke 6:27-38

Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. ~Luke 6:36

When children say ‘He/She started it’ in an aggrieved tone, they feel angry, blaming the other person for what they said or did. It’s easy to put the blame on others, to grow in our resentment, anger and judgement, especially in conflict with heated emotions and responses. Jesus spends this passage talking about handling conflict, about loving our enemies who have wounded us physically, verbally and emotionally.

Jesus challenges us, not to think of them in anger, but to choose to pray for them, for God to work in them, to be compassionate in our attitude rather than having a critical spirit. It’s about choosing to love. So ask Jesus to help you today in giving you a new attitude to those who have wronged you. This ultimately leads to forgiveness. While it might take years and many steps, you will be doing it for them and yourself.

Who do you need to forgive today?

Julie Freund