Bless Them

Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. Galatians 6:10

When someone hurts you, you have three options: 1) hurt them back; 2) avoid them altogether; 3) pray for them and look for ways to bless them (see Matthew 5:44-45). Paul says: ‘As occasion and opportunity open up … let us do good [morally] to all people [not only being useful or profitable to them, but … doing what is for their spiritual good and advantage]. Be mindful to be a blessing.’ We’re so caught up with how others treat us that we’ve little or no concern about how we treat them. We’re afraid of being taken advantage of, especially if our past experience with someone has been painful. Not only do fear and dread make us supersensitive to everything they say and do, we may misinterpret their motives and see them in a negative light. Without question, it’s difficult not to be concerned that others will treat you badly if they already have a proven track record. That’s why it’s so important not to think about it at all (see Philippians 3:13 and Isaiah 43:18). Does this mean the person won’t have to account for how they treated you? No. The Bible says, ‘Each of us will give an account of himself to God. Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another’ (Romans 14:12-13). Hand the situation over to God – and refuse to take it back. Then, ‘Be mindful to be a blessing.’ In other words, occupy your thoughts with ways in which you can be helpful. When you do that you’ll have no time to dwell on personal grievances. Plus, it gives God an opportunity to work on them – and you.

Prayer
Heavenly Father, help me hand over past situations to Your care and move on to new things that You would have me devote my time to. In Jesus’ Name, Amen