You’re holding your breath, hoping – praying – something will change.
The world is in a mess, after all.
Selfishly, you wanted better for yourself. Sincerely, you want better for your children and grandchildren. But with each passing day, it seems that corruption grows stronger and our futures grow more uncertain.
It would be gentler on our consciences to blame everyone from evil terrorists to corrupt politicians, but when we read God’s words and our own corrupt hearts are exposed, we know deep down that it adds up to much more than that. On the exterior we rally for answers to the hot topics that make their way into political debates and the nightly news, yet in our hearts another war is brewing…
We’re letting the sun go down on our anger.
We’re holding grudges for offenses that we shouldn’t still be re-living.
We’re secretly wishing that the ones who wronged us will pay severely.
We’re justifying the sin in our retaliation and pride that tells us that they had it coming.
In our desire to be right, we’ve gotten it all so very wrong. In our desire for an easy fix on the outside, we’ve ignored the problem that resides deep within us.
So what can we do when we’re desperate for change in this world but we don’t know where to start?
Father, let it begin with me.
“Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. On the contrary:
‘If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.’Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” – Romans 12:17-21
As much as it depends on YOU…
This is a phrase that is repeated almost daily our home. In fact, I found myself saying it tonight as I gave final kisses and tucked my girl into bed. We don’t even have to finish the sentence because our kids have heard it so much that they finish it for us: “As much as it depends on YOU… live at peace with all men.”
Let’s face it: it would be far easier to put money in the offering plate every week, or maybe serve in a soup kitchen – at least once a year when Thanksgiving rolls around. But choose to forgive others daily? Do right when everyone else is doing wrong? Do my part to live at peace with ALL men? Overcome evil with good? The hard work of human relationships and reconciliation often takes more than we’re willing to give.
But because Jesus gave so that I could have peace with God, that same gospel must overflow into the peace and forgiveness that I extend to others.
So today, what if we each took that first step towards the change we’re so desperate for?
Reach out in humility before the sun goes down.
Acknowledge that grudge that you’ve been holding onto, forgive, and make it a thing of the past.
Sincerely pray for those who have wronged you.
Think of a way to bless someone instead of cursing them, and then shock their socks off and actually DO IT.
Make that phone call. Pay that visit. Write that note. Stop wasting another day.
Let’s begin within the walls of our homes, then let the overflow of God’s love and forgiveness permeate the world around us.
Father, I’m desperate for change in this world. Let today be the start of something different, and let it begin with me.
At His feet,
*Let’s talk: What’s one thing YOU can do today to overcome evil with good?
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Powerful posting today, thank you so much for sharing your insights and truths.
Make that phone call….write that note. I’ve done it-it’s hard, but so needed. Just wishing I could do more than let go of the grudge, wait and pray for a response.
Today I can overcome evil with good because the Holy Spirit resides in me and enables me to go out and have victory.
Absolutely fabulous post!!! I am going to print it, highlight it, bookmark it, and anything else I can think of to do to keep it at the forefront of my mind!! lol This is a lesson I am going to make a point to teach our kids, and comes at a time when it seems all they’re doing is repaying evil with evil with each other!! Thank you for this!
Sarah, I agree. It’s so wonderful that Whitney uses these words and verses to teach her children how we should treat others, even those who have wronged us. What a great lesson for all ages. 🙂
Lindsay, LGG Encourager
Be not overcome. But overcome. The rushing of emotions as a reaction to evil happens, overcoming is also a reaction, but more of a willful action in response. Matthew Henry in his commentary on this verse said “he that cannot quietly bear an injury is perfectly conquered by it.” This made so much sense to me. We must not only overcome evil but we must also hate that what is evil, clinging to God’s goodness with everything in us. This morning I woke up with an empty feeling. I did not feel God’s goodness, but as I willfully lit the candle, turned on my worship music, and brewed my coffee God’s goodness was ushered in. I was reaching for goodness not because I was feeling it but because I wanted it. And then I read today’s Scriptures. “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” Exactly. And so this is my prayer- Lord, help me to cleave to your goodness so that I’m able to overcome evil. I am an overcomer because I am yours. Help me to defeat evil and darkness in this world and in my life with your goodness mercy and love. In Jesus’s name amen.
Jen, I have been unsettled for a few days…maybe a couple of weeks and today’s lesson hit home. During my prayer time I discovered some past things that are still surfacing…they are surfacing subconsciously. How great is our God to help us get through these times and brings up words of encouragement when we need them?
Today on Family Talk with Dr. James Dobson, Corrie Ten Boom shares her story. It goes perfectly along with this weeks study
Kim thanks for sharing!
Thank you for this message. I am reviewing If Only by Michelle Van Loon and the chapter this morning was the flip side of this post – if we don’t do it, we will be full of regret. That means we will need to turn to Him anyway to repent. Why not just start off by doing the thing He is prompting us to do such as writing the note or making a call?
So awesome how God is speaking to you, Carmen! He is putting everything into perspective. Let go and let God work on their hearts by putting the past behind you. When we concede to hand things over to Him, we all grow spiritually and see His mighty hand at work in our lives and those around us!
When so much time has passed, I realize maybe I was wrong also. What could I have done to turn the situation around or not been easily offend? Or maybe not listen to others, but follow my heart? I can forgive and love other as Christ.
It is a blessing to read the words of God written by human hands. All too often I find myself wanting to do good but bad it what’s I impart on occasion. To read is easier than to apply the actions meantiined above. It takes much discipline and obedience for human to be like Jesus. Butttt I do know that IT IS possible. Thank you!
In pain i worked for someone who kept pushing, in her illness of mind she was holding onto earthly things boasting, bragging and in her hurry she took craftsmanship for granite . causing more pain and stress , then complains about the job , my pride was hurt ,my workmanship was tore down, my heart for my church was tore down, lies were spread , but i knew none of it to be true because i know in my heart the truth , so i poured into God’s word to forgive, it is very hard to forgive when someone attacks from all angles, your heart, your friends, and then your God and family , then i imagined how Jesus felt when he was attacked with lies and the beaten and still he died for them , i had to let my flesh die for this person just so i could go on ,i reached out to a dear christian friend i had pray with me and God came to me in my need, with pain subsided and the job done and away from that person, i can now see that the most thing some people hold dear are the wrong thing, we should strive to hold hearts dear and lift them up i prayed for them because i thought if they can get thier mind off earthly things then they can get their mind on people and reach out to them , objects are no concern when it comes to hurting others in god’s favor but God forgives so we must forgive them also . my work is proven inthe art of it done. my heart is proven ray to God , he knows my heart , sometimes people take advantage of us and we feel cheated, and could be, but you put your heart forward and did your best , God loves a cheerful heart , sometimes people will say then your best isn’t good enough, then you should say god will be the judge and forgive them .for you know who you are and what you can do and how far you can go with your hard work and talents, so just know god delights in your talents and your heart of giving no matter the size, don’t worry about what someone else thinks. i was reminded about this verse and some other , the word is what we should go to find peace inthe word .Proverbs 6:16 says: “There are six things that the Lord hates, seven that are an abomination to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil, a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers.” God knows your heart so that is all that matters as Galatians 1:10: “For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.” My best advice to you is let the Lord fight this battle.Proverbs 6:16 says: “There are six things that the Lord hates, seven that are an abomination to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil, a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers.” God knows your heart so that is all that matters as Galatians 1:10: “For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.” My best advice to you is let the Lord fight this battle.Luke 6:28: “Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.”
This is so true for me at this time in my life. I am in the middle of a divorce and my son is a heroin addict and it goes on and on and on. What it all to change and change now. There are days that I am so angry or so sad I just cry. I wonder does God hear me. I feel like it is my fault, why? I am not the one who for 33 years handed out verbal and emotional abuse and cheated. Was I perfect no. I am not the one who started using drugs. Yet I feel I am watching my son slowly killing himself. Was I such. Horrible mother? I find I am searching my own heart and sometimes wondering is God there, is he listening?
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