The wrongs done to us by others can sometimes agitate us beyond the norm.
These wrongs pester and harass us, making us lose control and then look like a fool in the process. I remember a time when I had to deal with people like this. They pestered and poked and prodded me continuously, and it came to the point where I thought I couldn’t take it anymore. I finally exploded.
There are times when prudence must set in. If we lose control and act in the flesh, not only do we cause ourselves and others harm, making them look bad, but we also don’t exalt the Lord.
As servants of Christ and soldiers of the cross, we must walk by the Spirit so we won’t be tempted to satisfy the desires of the flesh. In such times, we should remember that just as Christ showed mercy at the moments before He was crucified, we should be patient and merciful with others so that they will be convicted of sin and accept Christ as Lord and Savior.
Sometimes, the Lord will send difficult people for us to love, and He wants us to love them as He has loved us in our transgressions and rebellion. Mercy, patience, kindness, and forgiveness are fruits we should continue to cultivate. If we allow bitterness to take root, we may not receive God’s grace.
Jesus said those who are merciful will be shown mercy. What are some steps you can take to show mercy and patience toward others?
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Jordan Zuniga is an emerging Christian poet, devotional writer, and fiction writer. He has multiple pieces published by Christian Devotions, Calla Press, Agape Review, and other publications. He is actively seeking representation from a literary agent. If you enjoy his work on Christian Devotions and would like to support his efforts, please follow him on Instagram @cccreativewriter.