Monday, August 10, 2015

Victory without Revenge! Finding Inner Peace in Turmoil and Conflict

The Bible instructs Jesus Followers to be "quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger. For the anger of man does not accomplish the righteousness of God." This is a call in times of stress and struggle to pray, reflect, process, understand and respond intelligently so that one will truly be an agent of God for instruction, healing and godly justice rather than mindless vengeance, hasty wrath or hateful spite. Such an exercise of patience and spiritual discipline will lead one to ponder the situation, to pray for the offender and to pray for oneself to reflect God's character rather than one's own rage and disgust. This will further allow God to do a work in one's own heart that will enable one to appropriate God's grace for oneself and dispense grace for others on a consistent basis. "Do your friends despise, forsake you? Take it to the Lord in prayer!  In His arms He'll take and shield you! You will find a solace there!"  When wronged, take the time to go to Jesus and to allow Him to come to you. You will be empowered to reflect his beauty and glory in every situation!

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