There is something that is quite disturbing that is happening in our culture. I am sure all of you have noticed it. People in our country feel like they have a right to do or say whatever they want to say or do. I am not saying we don’t have rights, but it is how we choose to use those rights that is important. I know what it feels like to be abused by someone. I know what it feels like to be ignored. I know what it feels like to be afraid. I could go on and on with my issues but the point is, I choose to follow the example of Jesus. I am not perfect and there are times when I get mad, but going out and breaking a window and hurting innocent people is not the correct way to handle my anger. Do you really think that is what Jesus wants us to do? Do you really think that action is going to solve anything? Hate never solves anything and Jesus knew that. Martin Luther King, Jr. also knew that same principle. “I have decided to stick with love. Hate is too great a burden to bear.”

I realize that everyone has opinions but if you are a person that has given their life to Christ then I really think all of us need to be reminded of some general facts. Please understand me. I am not talking down to you. I am also reminding myself of how I am supposed to be living my life as well. For goodness sakes we are scaring the children with our actions and talk. So, take a time out and go to your room and think about what you are saying and doing. (I just had to add that!)

When Jesus was on this earth, He was hated and loved by many. He knew how to handle both types of people. He knew what to say and when to say it. He wasn’t afraid to speak truth. He depended on His heavenly father for help and support and that is what we are supposed to be doing as well. He spent hours in prayer every day so He could handle whatever came His way.

He taught many things but one very important principle He taught was about love. Matthew 5:44 says, “But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” Luke 6:27 says, “But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you.” Now, I don’t know if you have ever had an enemy, but I have. It is also no fun when you have someone who hates you. I have always felt like I was a pretty good girl and I did what I was told and was a good employee and had a good work ethic, but sometimes there are people out there that just don’t like you. They even hate you and you don’t understand why. It made me very afraid when I was being hated and attacked. But, I am called to love that person back. I am called to pray for that person. I am not called to attack back. I know that is a foreign concept in our culture. Now, I am not talking about someone in an abusive situation. Get out or get help! I am not saying we should ignore wrongdoing either. But, we need to handle things the way Christ would want us to. Attacking each other is not the solution.

Really, we are not each other’s enemy. There is one enemy and his name is Satan. He is a liar. He is a thief. He is here to destroy our relationships and ourselves. He has been trying to destroy me since the day I was born. He is very deceptive and cunning. He knows how to get into our lives and work things around. We need to be aware of what he is doing at all times. We need to be on guard and the best way to do that is to know scripture and fight back with it because scripture is truth. Jesus shows us in Matthew 4:1-10 how to fight back. Satan tried to tempt him in his physical needs, his desires, his possessions, his power and his pride. Jesus did not give in. He did not waver. So, when you are tempted to shout at someone or lash out in anger or say things you will regret, please pause and pray and ask the Holy Spirit to help you be like Jesus. Respond in a way that brings life, not death to a situation. (I am preaching to myself as well!)

You see, I was yelled at most of my life. I was cussed at too. It isn’t fun being raised by someone who is full of anger. It made me very afraid. I felt like I was walking on egg shells most of my life. I never knew when the eruption would begin. So for everyone’s sake, please think before you speak and try not to speak in anger. You might not understand the damage you are doing to someone. We are called to speak the truth in love. Ephesians 4:15

I know there are many of us who prayed for this election. We prayed for God to put the right people into power. So, let’s think about this. If you prayed as I did, and you are not happy with who God put there, then you need to go to God and talk to Him about it. When you lash out about who He chose, you are lashing out at God Almighty. By your words, you are telling God He made a bad decision. Just take a minute and think about that. Does God make bad decisions? I don’t think so!!! So, please think about that! I don’t want anyone to be in trouble with God. Please take the time to get your heart right. This makes me think of the verse in John 8:7, “If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.” In other words, we are not supposed to judge one another. We are all sinners and we all make mistakes. And for goodness sakes we are not supposed to judge God or His decisions. He is God and He doesn’t make mistakes! 

The bottom line is God is over our country and the whole world. Psalm 22:28 says, “For dominion belongs to the Lord and He rules over the nations” and Psalm 47:8 says, “God reigns over the nations; God is seated on His holy throne.” We need to trust Him and His decisions because He knows what He is doing. I know that is hard to do when you don’t agree with what is happening. But, remember God knows things we don’t know and He knows people’s hearts. We need to trust His ways. Deuteronomy 32:4 says, “He is the Rock, His works are perfect, and all His ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is He.”

We as Christians need to remember we have a heavenly father who is large and in charge. We have to trust His ways. We need to agree to disagree and love one another as Christ commanded us to do. Hate should never be a solution to the problem. If you are struggling with hate, then go before the Lord and confess your sin and ask Him to help you with it. I have struggled with hate and anger before and the only thing hate did was hurt me. It eats us up and causes other issues like resentment and bitterness. We all know people who have let that happen to them and they are no fun to be around. Please go before the Lord and ask Him to help you. He will.

Can we please join together in praying for our nation and praying for each other? Can we please love one another and agree to disagree? Can we let the Lord handle our country and let Him do what He needs to do? After all, I really don’t want anyone else in charge. Do you? Everyone makes mistakes. Can we please pause and ask the Lord what He wants us to do and then respond in a manner that gives Him glory? Remember the children are watching. Until next time dear friends….

1 Peter 4:8 “Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.”