Turning Evil into Good
You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.—Genesis 50:20 (NIV) Bib
Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.—COLOSSIANS 3:13 NIV
Have you ever been asked to care for someone who has offended or hurt you? Perhaps this person is incapacitated and desperately needs you. What will you do? Won’t being with her again stir up old problems? Open old wounds?
If you’re facing a situation where you have to care for someone who has hurt you in the past, it’s important to wipe the slate clean. Don’t keep a file of all the wrongs this person has done. Too many of us use those “files” against other people. Instead, take every grievance to the Lord. Your heavenly Father knows how to deal with your complaints.
As you release them, He’ll give you the capacity to bear with that person. To bear with them means you carry burdens… together. God will also help you forgive, which is key to moving forward.
If you’re having trouble “bearing” with someone today, give your grievances to the Lord and watch Him work!
Heavenly Father, I’ll confess…I’m having a hard time with this one. This is a person who hurt me deeply. A difficult person. But Lord, I give that hurt, that situation, to You. Help me to forgive, and then show me how I can bear with this person in love, forgiving as You forgave me.
You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.—Genesis 50:20 (NIV) Bib
Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.—Luke 6:38 (NIV)
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.—1 John 1:9 (NIV)