Stirring up the Pot

Hatred stirs up dissension, but love covers over all wrongs.

Proverbs 10:12



My absolute worst tendency is to want to repay evil with evil, spite for spite, pettiness with pettiness, and hatred with hatred. I know this is wrong! I have rarely done this. But the thought of it is not pure in the eyes of God. He has always wanted his people to be the redemptive influence in their world, society, and relationships. Paul reminded the Christians in Rome to "not repay evil with evil" (Rom. 12:17). God's teaches me a similar truth.

What I found out the other night is love removes the teeth out of difficult situations, while hatred only turns up the flames of bitterness and hate. It may not solve the problem but it will defuse the it even if the other person does not desire love. I'm called to be a different kind of person that leaves the world a better place.

I am called to love just as God loves me.

I am called to gentleness just as God is gentle to me

I am called to grace and mercy just as God has shown me.


It isn't always easy, but it is always powerful.

Father, I confess that when I'm wronged it makes me angry and I'm tempted to strike back in kind. Please, continue to remove the ugly side of my character through the cleansing and redeeming influence of your Holy Spirit. Inspire me today as your spirit is with me on the Adventure in Middle Grove.