Gettin' Ugly!

Do you ever want to just get ugly with someone? Sometimes people are rude, unthoughtful or just down right mean. Sometimes we deserve the way they treat us, but sometimes we don't. It can be a struggle for me to deal with difficult people, 'cause there is a part of me that REALLY wants to get ugly with them!

The thing is, I am serious about my commitment to Christ and I know that gettin' ugly isn't really an option. Jesus doesn't like ugly! 1 Peter 3:9 says, "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."

Okay, so I won't get ugly. But, what if my feelings are still hurt! What if I really did not deserve the way I was treated. Usually, what I really  want to do is sit and sulk about it for awhile.  Unfortunately, that isn't an option either. Ephesians 4:32 says "Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you."

So, what I really have to do is forgive them. Be kind to them, even though they may not deserve it. Be compassionate towards them. Everyone has struggles. If someone is hurting me, they have a reason, even if it has nothing to do with me. Happy people don't go around hurting others purposefully!

When it is hard to forgive someone, I pray. I pray for that person every time the negative feelings come into my heart. Eventually, all the negativity does turn to compassion and love for that person. Sometimes I have to repeat the process all over when they hurt me again!

The important thing is that when you honor Christ with your mouth, you must also honor Him with your actions. It is never easy and I fail many times, but I am serious about my commitment. When I fail, I try again. There will always be unjust people in this world. The truth is, I'm not responsible for their actions. I'm only responsible for my own.

Thank you, Lord for your magnificent Word that ALWAYS has an answer for all of my needs! Thank you for your Spirit that convicts me when I am out of line. Thank you for the people that test me. These people make me lean on You, and the more I lean on You, the stronger I am! I love you, Lord! Help me to always keep your Word in my heart, so that it will light my paths! Amen.