Posts
How can we show mercy when we want justice? Last week we looked at how compassion and humility can help bring peace and build bridges in a very divisive world. There is another significant heart posture that can help restore broken relationships and improve our current ones.
Showing Mercy
Mercy is giving more kindness than justice demands. Intentional or not we all hurt each other deeply, it’s just reality. Because of this we need massive doses of mercy to get back on track. When were hurt there can be a tremendous amount of emotional energy stored up and we have a choice to use that emotional energy for retaliation or restoration? Which do you lean towards to?
Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. 1 Peter 3:9
Mercy is giving more kindness than justice demands. Intentional or not we all hurt each other deeply, it’s just reality. Because of this we need massive doses of mercy to get back on track. When were hurt there can be a tremendous amount of emotional energy stored up and we have a choice to use that emotional energy for retaliation or restoration? Which do you lean towards to?
Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. 1 Peter 3:9
How do you do this when someone has insulted you or damaged
your heart? We might feel, Lord, help me I don’t want to even talk to them. I
want to get back at them, anything but to show mercy. Ask God for a calm spirit and refrain from harsh retaliatory words that you'll regret later.
Remember that God’s way is far different than ours’or the culture.
Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. Colossians 3:13
Remember that God’s way is far different than ours’or the culture.
Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. Colossians 3:13
Things can get really dark given the right circumstance.
Words can attack the very core of our being, our abilities, our
accomplishments, even our worth as a person. There are times when a wound goes
so deep that we say to ourselves, ‘I can’t forgive you.’ God says to us you’re never going to forgive that person more than I’ve
already forgiven you.
Love does not dishonor
others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of
wrongs. 1 Corinthians 13:5
Some not only keep a record of wrongs, but they got a whole
mental closet of every wrong someone did to them. They’ve cataloged and
characterized those offenses and they’re ready to pull one out at the right
moment to get their emotional payback.
That’s not God’s way! It may not be easy at all, but we need
to lean into forgiveness and show mercy. Forgive as he has forgiven you.
Forgiveness is not a one-time event, it’s an aerobic exercise.
Make sure that nobody
pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other
and for everyone else. I Thessalonians 5:15
How would you rate yourself on the mercy scale 1 to 10? Do you stockpile hurts for ammo for later, and
keep a scorecard then give yourself a one. If you’re quick to offer forgiveness
and quick to let go of grudges give yourself an 8 or 9.
Joins us in the next blog for another heart attitude that
can make all the difference in the world for you and those you care about.
