by Karen Keim
“Lord, I am really hurting right now. I can’t quit crying. That person once again spoke to me and treated me in a manner that I don’t deserve.”
“I know how you feel, Karen. I didn’t deserve the treatment I received so long ago. And you know what else? Not that I want to hurt you more, but I don’t deserve the way YOU treat me sometimes either.”
“I know, Lord, and I’m sorry, but can we deal with that later? Right now can we just talk about me? I mean, how much more can I take? How much more SHOULD I take? I have a notion to just e-mail them and give them a piece of my mind!”
“You know, if you really consider yourself religious and don’t keep a tight rein on your tongue, you deceive yourself and your religion is worthless.” (James 1:26)
“So I’m just supposed to sit back and continue to take this treatment at their will?!? Psshh!”
“If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also.” (John 15:29b)
“But who do they think they are?”
“I could ask you the same thing, Karen. Who do YOU think YOU are? You’re a sinner saved by my grace. You were once lost, too, you know.” (Ephesians 2:5)
“All right, all right. But, Lord, you know my friend and I have even been praying for them, even going so far as to literally hold in our hands things that belong to them and praying that they would soften their heart, that they would in some way come to accept You. Boy, that’s sure done a lot of good!”
“You don’t think so? Sounds to me like you’ve gotten the attention of satan! Sounds to me like he is on the prowl, like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Are you going to let him get you?” (I Peter 5:14)
“Great! So now what am I supposed to do? I can’t fight SATAN!”
“Resist him. Stand firm in your faith. Be self-controlled and alert.” (1 Peter 5:8)
“I can’t, Lord! Don’t you hear me crying? All I want is to give them a piece of my mind!”
“Don’t you trust me? Don’t you think I can handle this one for you? Don’t take revenge. If there is revenge to be taken, I will take care of it.” (Romans 12:19)
“Well, okay. But I’m just not going to talk to them! If they’re going to treat me like that, I’ll just treat them the same way!”
“Would that really make you feel any better? How about just forgetting about it and turning the other cheek?” (Matthew 5:39)
“Oh, for goodness sakes! I suppose the next thing you’re going to tell me is I should overcome their evil by doing good to them, so it’s kind of like heaping burning coals on their head!” (Romans 12:21)
“You got it! I love you, Karen! Isn’t that enough?”
“Lord, I am really hurting right now. I can’t quit crying. That person once again spoke to me and treated me in a manner that I don’t deserve.”
“I know how you feel, Karen. I didn’t deserve the treatment I received so long ago. And you know what else? Not that I want to hurt you more, but I don’t deserve the way YOU treat me sometimes either.”
“I know, Lord, and I’m sorry, but can we deal with that later? Right now can we just talk about me? I mean, how much more can I take? How much more SHOULD I take? I have a notion to just e-mail them and give them a piece of my mind!”
“You know, if you really consider yourself religious and don’t keep a tight rein on your tongue, you deceive yourself and your religion is worthless.” (James 1:26)
“So I’m just supposed to sit back and continue to take this treatment at their will?!? Psshh!”
“If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also.” (John 15:29b)
“But who do they think they are?”
“I could ask you the same thing, Karen. Who do YOU think YOU are? You’re a sinner saved by my grace. You were once lost, too, you know.” (Ephesians 2:5)
“All right, all right. But, Lord, you know my friend and I have even been praying for them, even going so far as to literally hold in our hands things that belong to them and praying that they would soften their heart, that they would in some way come to accept You. Boy, that’s sure done a lot of good!”
“You don’t think so? Sounds to me like you’ve gotten the attention of satan! Sounds to me like he is on the prowl, like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Are you going to let him get you?” (I Peter 5:14)
“Great! So now what am I supposed to do? I can’t fight SATAN!”
“Resist him. Stand firm in your faith. Be self-controlled and alert.” (1 Peter 5:8)
“I can’t, Lord! Don’t you hear me crying? All I want is to give them a piece of my mind!”
“Don’t you trust me? Don’t you think I can handle this one for you? Don’t take revenge. If there is revenge to be taken, I will take care of it.” (Romans 12:19)
“Well, okay. But I’m just not going to talk to them! If they’re going to treat me like that, I’ll just treat them the same way!”
“Would that really make you feel any better? How about just forgetting about it and turning the other cheek?” (Matthew 5:39)
“Oh, for goodness sakes! I suppose the next thing you’re going to tell me is I should overcome their evil by doing good to them, so it’s kind of like heaping burning coals on their head!” (Romans 12:21)
“You got it! I love you, Karen! Isn’t that enough?”
~This is a rerun of a post in July 2009
2 comments:
I found this just amazing!!! Fits my life right now...God is amazing the words he puts in front of me from all directions.....
Loved it, Karen!! I call that my "spiritual brat" side. I hate it when I go there! thanks for reminding me of The Way back. :)
Much love Sister!
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