Today's reading

Bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. –Luke 6:28 NIV

April 13, 2020

Bless, Don’t Curse

Bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. –Luke 6:28 NIV

Have people ever decided not to like you without even trying to get to know you? They might see you talking to someone they don’t like and decide that you must be an enemy too. You are condemned without a trial. Would you be offended or be unfriendly in return? Would you try to defend yourself? Would you go and confront the person? There are many choices, but only one of them is God’s way. Luke 6:28 (NIV) shows us God’s way, “Bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.” Our flesh doesn’t want to do it God’s way; it wants revenge. Matthew 5:9 (NIV) says, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” So, what do you do? You could buy the person a gift, something very personal. You could write an encouraging note. How about an invitation to go to coffee so you can get to know each other better. What do all of these ideas have in common? You are showing God’s grace and love. God’s ways are always the best ways.

prayer focuses

Offenses come to us all.

Pray that you’ll be wise enough to return a blessing for a curse. Hurt people hurt people. Be the person who gives grace, forgiveness, and love. Plant seeds of kindness.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width="1/6"][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row]

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about the

Author

Brenda Beattie

Brenda Beattie is a retired letter carrier and an active Chaplain for the USPS. She and her husband retired to Bradenton because they loved their church, Bayside Community Church. She has self-published two books, "Finding Sacred Ground In The Daily Grind," and "The Case Of The Missing Letter." She is also a repeat author for "Chicken Soup For The Soul." Her articles appear monthly in the "Mountaineer," a postal publication. Her hearts desire is to encourage and to give hope.