In Sync with God’s Word
Have you ever been hurt, hated, offended, snubbed, disrespected, excluded, and rejected? All these facts and feelings can leave one feeling angry, resentful, bitter, and scared for a lifetime, if you allow it. On a spiritual level, to harbor and return such feelings of anger, bitterness, hatred, resentment, etc., only causes harm
Cease from anger and forsake wrath; Do not fret—it only causes harm.
Psalms 37:8, NKJV
So, what do you do with those type of harmful and toxic ways in which others make you feel?
The fact is we cannot control the thoughts and behaviors of others. We can only control ourselves. Therefore, (if it does not become physical) you must learn to not internalize the thoughts, attitudes, and behaviors of others. Leave those things outside of your heart, where they belong. And focus on the good and positive things about yourself, that you know to be true.
There are four things that the Word of the Lord tells us to do regarding:
OUR FEELINGS OF ANGER
In your anger do not sin: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold.
Ephesians 4:26,27, NIV
OUR WORDS
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage, and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
Ephesians 4:29-32, NIV
OUR PRAYERS OF FORGIVENESS
For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses (Matthew 6:14,15, NKJV).
But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you.
Matthew 5:44, NKJV
LOVING OTHERS
Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister.
I John 4:20, 21, NIV
Regardless of the facts and feelings, when I find myself out of sync with God’s Word and responding inappropriately, I remind myself of these things. How about you? Are you caught up in the murk of your hurt feelings? Today is the day to get in sync with God’s Word.