Have Mercy

I'm pretty good at figuring out when I've been wronged.  Yes, I have a keen talent for that.  One could even say that I've perfected that gift.  But, that talent comes to a screaming halt when I'm the offender instead of the offended.  

There has been many occasions that I've been the offended and the offender all within the same week.  Okay, fine--day! When I have a day like that, I try to be aware of this truth.  

When I understand the depth of mercy that has been extended to me, I should all the more be ready to extend mercy to others.  

Yeah, right?  That sounds awesome in print, but as I've said many times before, I'm a slow learner.

No one, including me, would intentionally hurt another, but sometimes we do just that.  I've had a few occasions when I've been hurt, or hurt someone else and when that happens, I usually withdraw to one of there places.  

• I might avoid that person with the hopes the problem will go away in time.  You know, give'm the silent treatment.  
• Or, I can take the bull by the horns and let that person know why this was all their fault in the first place.  
• Or, this rarely used one, I can humble myself as quickly as possible and make things right.  

In 2 Corinthians 4:8-9, I think Paul understood all these tactics when he wrote:

We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; 

perplexed, but not driven to despair; 

persecuted, but not forsaken;

 struck down, but not destroyed...(ESV)

I'm not sure how you're feeling today, but I'm encouraged that even in my humanness, God isn't crushing me, driving me to despair, causing me to feel forsaken or willing to let me perish.  

(Content Sigh!)  

But, I do know this, my day will always be better, when I choose to Have Mercy!