My Heart Hurts

Recently I've experienced the heart ache of people saying one thing to my face and then doing the complete opposite.  The sad truth is they are not hurting me but they are hurting themselves and they are hurting God.  

I have intensely discussed this whole situation with God for the last two days.  I've asked Him,  how do I respond to them when our paths cross? Do I express my hurt?  Comment on on it at all? Or do I simply allow the consequences of their choices catch up with them?  My flesh wants to cut them out of my life but the Holy Spirit says no. 

               After saying these things, Jesus was troubled in his spirit, and testified, “Truly, truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me.” 

                              John 13:21 ESV

In looking at how Jesus treated Judas Iscariot I find the answer.  Jesus didn't single Judas out until it was time to betray Him.  Up to that point, Judas experienced and participated in every blessing and miracle Jesus did.  He sat under and listened to the parables that Jesus taught.  He lived in and among the other disciples and Jesus held nothing from him.  In fact, Jesus went to the cross for Judas.  

That is the example Jesus left for us to follow.  When someone makes a poor choice and they say they know and love God, sometimes we have to just let them go their way.  It is not our place to point out the folly of what they are doing because some of us just have to learn the hard way.  

The heartache we feel in watching someone pull back from the things of God cannot equal the pain that God feels.  In talking to Him about all this, I am reminded of my own weaknesses and the many times I have given my word and then backed out without an explanation or any remorse.   I repent quickly with tears and remorse for my own inability to do any better.  I thank God for Jesus Who took the punishment I deserve and ask Him to have mercy on me.  Then I realize that I too, need to give mercy.  I have to forgive just as I have been forgiven.

It is not easy to live a life of faith in this world.  It is not easy to live in obedience to The Lord in this day and age.  But we must.  

We must strive to keep God first in everything we do and say and think.  We must lean on His wisdom to get us through the things we don't understand.  We must rely on His strength to make it through the storms.  And we must rely on His mercy to forgive when we have been hurt.  

Take your hurts to God and let Him work things out.

Heidirn