5 Minute Tip: “Here’s a way to respond to…all of this.”

These last few months have been jam packed with moments that have humbled me, challenged me, and opened my eyes to realities I didn’t know existed.

Isolation.

Fear.

Racism.

In just a span of 3 months, these issues have come at us in full force and have left many people bewildered, including myself. As I’ve sought out people for help, spent time reading and praying, I’ve come to what I think is my first steps out of the cave and into the light.

If your like me then you’ve asked this question recently. What do I do? That question is said with a sigh of exasperation and with a thought of hopelessness. But the Spirit reminded me that the instruction from God’s word isn’t based on circumstances, in fact it’s meant to change the temperature in those circumstances.

Listen to these words from Romans 12.

⁹ Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. ¹⁰ Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. ¹¹ Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. ¹² Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. ¹³ Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.

¹⁴ Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. ¹⁵ Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. ¹⁶ Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. ¹⁷ Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. ¹⁸ If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. ¹⁹ Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” ²⁰ To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” ²¹ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Romans 12:9-21

This. This is going to be a part of the way back to health in this country. God’s people, being God’s people.

Can you imagine if we applied these words to our daily life? Even if just for one day?

Let’s do it.

Today, honor someone.
Today, love someone.
Today, rejoice with someone.
Today, mourn with somone.
Today, pray for someone.
Today, be patient for someone.
Today, don’t take revenge.

May God be with us.