Journal Entry ~ 03/27/18

14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness,
15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. - Ephesians 6:14-15

His peace is not always easy to find - especially when we’ve been wronged. God placed a desire for justice in our hearts, so when we face an injustice in our lives, it is tempting to take things into our own hands. We cut off friendships and family members who hurt us, we give our spouses the silent treatment when they treat us poorly, we gossip and slander about co-workers when they've been difficult. We really do find it easier to make war than to make peace. 

But in Romans 12:19-21, we read:  Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, "Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord."20 To the contrary, "if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head." 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Paul tells us how we should respond when people in our lives treat us unfairly - with peace. He is essentially telling us to stop doing God's job and start trusting that He will do what He has promised to do. 

The problem with our hearts is that we want to hurt back in the same way we've been hurt, and we want to see it happen, but that's not God's agenda. God will never abandon his mercy for justice. He will repay, but it will most likely not be in our timing or in our way. We have to remember that God has a plan for the person who is hurting us as well - He's working on their heart at the same time He's working on ours. And if we're on Gods agenda, then we need to remember that ultimately, we would see all people come to Christ and grow to be more like Him. So when we've been hurt, we need to remember Paul's words and to repay evil with good. We need to not only be at peace with God’s plan for that person who has hurt us, we need to be peace to that person. 


Press on ~ you are loved 💗

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