Dear Friends,
As kids, many of us learned to respond to verbal attacks by reciting the rhyme, “Sticks & stones will break your bones, but names will never hurt me.”
Of course, those names did hurt, and often they became part of the fabric of our personalities. I wish I had known back then about the story of Elisha. I would have been able to give my tormentors something to think about!
“ Elisha left Jericho and went up to Bethel. As he was walking along the road, a group of boys from the town began mocking and making fun of him. “Go away, baldy!” they chanted. “Go away, baldy!” Elisha turned around and looked at them, and he cursed them in the name of the Lord. Then two bears came out of the woods and mauled forty-two of them.” 2 Kings 2:23-24. (NLT)
A while back someone questioned my integrity. At the time, I might have welcomed the two bears that had served Elisha, but I knew the person had jumped to a conclusion based on limited information, so I quickly corrected the record. Nevertheless, the accusation itself hurt, and it took some time for me to get over it.
Each morning Bonnie and I say a covenant prayer that includes the words, “Lord, help us to forgive those who have hurt us.” Since we’ve said the same prayer over-and-over, one would think we would be real forgiveness-on-demand people. We even know the guiding Scriptures, but living them isn’t always easy.
“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” Ephesians 4:32
“Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” Colossians 3:13
When hurt, the first instinct for many of us might be to “call in the bears” rather than to bear with each other. Thoughts of vindication or vengeance can take center stage, leaving forgiveness to wait in the wings. In times like this, we have found it helpful to turn to Psalm 37:8
“Stop being angry! Turn from your rage!
Do not lose your temper—it only leads to harm..”
Psalm 37:1-6
Next time you feel like “calling in the bears,” consider instead calling on the Holy Spirit to change your heart. Remember, Jesus didn’t make forgiveness optional. “But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.” Matthew 6:15 (NIV)
Verse for the Week: “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Romans 12:18
Blessings,
Your Friends in Christ
Because He Loves Us Press 