Often times I find myself in a position where I feel mistreated, or I feel unappreciated, or I feel looked over. When those times come I have two distinct options: 1. I could allow myself to have a "pitty party" and wallow in my sorrows and make it known to the world that I'm hurt or 2. I can respond with the joy of the Lord who is my strength and show love to the same people(or person) who made me feel mistreated, unappreciated or looked-over.
When I first dwell on the fact that I feel mistreated, unappreciated or looked-over I tend to subconsciously slide right into the "pitty party". Next I unknowingly start to think about how I can subtly show the other person that I am hurt by what they did... "I could act really sad tomorrow and they would have to ask me what's wrong! Or I could purposefully have a really subdued attitude and they'd recognize it and talk to me about it! Or what if I ..." But as i think of these things and get the unsettling feeling in my stomach I always end up at the same question-- "Who am I?"
Who am I to deny to someone else the immense and abundant grace the Lord showed me?
Who am I to receive inexplicable forgiveness from Christ and not forgive this person I love?
Who am I to acknowledge and accept the unconditional love of my father and not repay it to you?
Who am I to disregard the fact that Christ called me to "love my enemies and pray for those who persecute me"?
Who am I to receive blessing and favor from the Lord and repay His son/daughter with animosity?
I can make you this promise, no matter how you spin it, there is no rationale that can justify making someone else feel bad/guilty for treating me the way they did. Turn the other cheek.
Luke 6:27-29
"But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,
bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.
If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn to them the other also.
If someone takes your coat, do not withhold your shirt from them."
We are not called to turn the other cheek so that we have a bruised face and the person who "hit" us has to look at it for the rest of the day and feel guilty. We are called to turn the other cheek because if you and I were in Jerusalem as Jesus was carrying the cross up to the hill of Golgotha, you and I could very easily have been standing there watching, maybe even joining in the hateful chants. And even so, God died for you. So take this moment today to repay hurt with love and kindness.
Jimmy Needham has lyrics that say, "they will know us by our love". No truer words could be said. God is most seen through us when we take a situation and instead of reacting the way the world would deem appropriate, we react the way Christ did, accepting all blame for the sake of The Father and for the sake of bringing Him glory.
Romans 2:1-3
"You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else,
for at whatever point you judge another, you are condemning yourself,
because you who pass judgment do the same things.
Now we know that God's judgment against those who do such things is based on truth.
So when you, a mere human being, pass judgment on them and yet do the same things,
do you think you will escape God's judgement?"
Take away two things from that scripture: 1. You and the person who hurt you are equal in stature and status in the hierarchy of life, you are both under the reign of a Holy and Mighty God and 2. You, more than likely, have committed the same hurtful action to someone else whether unknowingly or consciously. So recognize that you are human just as is the person who hurt you, whom I would venture to guess is someone you love or care deeply about, and show them a love that forgives them without them even asking.
The final point I leave you with is this-- people will not always meet up to your expectations of them. Please get used to it, don't expect it, but be aware that this will happen! I am as loyal a girl as they come, and consequently I crave loyalty. And I am constantly hurt when someone does not repay my loyalty with loyalty. But something I have had to learn is that no human being will ever not hurt you. ("For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God." Romans 3:23) So when they do you need to default to the loyalty that comes from your Father. Because though everyone else will inadvertently fail you and let you down, He is the only one who never will. Take comfort in this. And know that He will never leave you nor forsake you. So when your dad or mom, or your sibling, or one of your best friends does something to hurt you give them the grace they deserve and default to God and give Him your dependence.
(I say these things as a guide, not as law. And not to be depressing, but to be real. If your friends are constantly hurting you every day they probably aren't worth your time. But if the people you love the most hurt you every once and a while, this may be helpful to remember.)
Who am I? I am a daughter of the King who has been saved by grace and called to show the world of the great freedom and love that comes with a grace so glorious.
Whitney
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