Most people read that and think, "I don't want to rejoice, pain is...painful." The Bible also says, "Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with a blessing," (1 Peter 3:9) and the two scriptures make you step back and say, "But they hurt me. To think about or be near them is painful, but I'm supposed to be joyful and bless them? How does that work?" A wise woman once said, "It's not about you. It's about spiritual warfare." We are in the business of fighting for souls--our own and others'. Jesus said, "If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also," (Matthew 5:39). That statement is not about being a victim or a doormat, but about looking past the pain, past what you see, and looking into their hearts and seeing their pain. It's about loving them and about praying for them, on-your-knees fighting for them.
Everything that happens in the spiritual realm manifests itself in the physical realm. We, as believers, need to look past the lashing out that we see and fight the battle that we don't see. Ask God to give you a spirit of discernment and for Holy Spirit eyes, that you might be able to see past the physical and into the spiritual, that you would know how to pray for those in pain.
I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation ~ Ephesians 1:17
No comments:
Post a Comment