Feelings

We all have them. We all get them hurt. Sometimes almost to the point of feeling crushed. Destroyed. I don't know about you, but I feel entitled to mine. Whatever form they may come in. Hurt. Anger. Shame. Frustration. Sadness. Discomfort. Sorrow. Disappointment. Envy. Weakness. Depression. So many forms they come. Each with its own degree of severity.

If we are honest, there are probably times that we wallow in our feelings for as long as we can remember them. We will even go so far as to replay in our minds, the moments that led up to those feelings. Over and over. Just as we start to get ahold of ourselves...another thought pierces through. You replay the words that were said. You replay how you responded. Maybe even throwing in a few new comments so you could wound them just like you were hurt. Things you didn't say, or couldn't say. You feel entitled to those feelings. And you should, right?

Uh, not so much. See this from God's view. Remember the story in the Bible 'The Parable of the Unmerciful Servant'. In Matthew 18:21-35 Jesus told of a man who was forgiven a great debt, but in turn did not forgive a much much smaller debt. Sound familiar? If God viewed us...as we view others when we have our feelings hurt....we would all be toast. But, if God could feel any of those towards us, His grace, mercy and forgiveness would still remain. Jesus was tempted to suffer those negative feelings. Do you think He dwelled on them? Do you think He did an instant replay over and over of when He was betrayed by those who claimed to love Him? Nope. He always came out victorious. Perfect. He would turn His cheek so the other could be wounded. His scars. Only physical. Emotional scars did not define His future.

Want to be more Christ-like? Follow that example. Let that be your legacy. Let that define the future of your family, and how they deal with emotional scarring. Change the course of your generations to come. It's not too late. No matter how far you feel that you have slid, God longs for you to come to Him just as you are. Broken. Confused. Worried about what is to come. Be excited about where He is going to take you. Just come.

If it's been a while since you have read that passage in Matthew....I suggest you read it. Can't find a bible?...no excuse. You are online reading this...and you can click on this link and read it now. It is that easy. This parable is told by Jesus. I always read His words with greater attention. Pay special attention to verse 35. Don't feel comdemned. Feel empowered that the truth is not masked. Know that others struggle with this, and they are victorious through Christ.

My husband had a challenge for our worship team last night...if we have an unresolved issue with anyone on the team...to fix it so we can be unified to worship together, and to lead others in worship. Not singing, worship. There is a difference. Isn't that how we are called to be with everyone? Unified. If you feel like you can't 'fix' it right now, pray for them. Daily. For 15 minutes. Seems simple right? Fifteen minutes is a long time if you are annoyed, hurt, frustrated with someone. But, as I have said before....you can't spend that much time at the foot of the cross, and not be changed. God will change you. God will bless them through your prayers. Everyone is worth the effort, promise!