When Heartbreak Turns Hurtful

In light of the recent tragedies in Orlando, Florida, my heart breaks. It breaks for the scores of innocent lives lost, it hurts for the dozens of lives wounded, it hurts for the thousands upon thousands of Americans affected, and it also hurts for the hate we've wrongfully retaliated with.

Proverbs 10:12 says this, "Hatred stirs up quarrels, but love makes up for all offenses." 
The Message says it this way, "Hatred starts fights, but love pulls a quilt over bickering."

It begs the question, really... Are we allowing ourselves to be defined by hate or by love? Because the Bible is clear that hatred is only doing the devil's work for him.

My heart is deeply saddened by the disgusting hate spewed from each direction on the multiple issues stemming from this horrific attack on humanity. The commentary I have seen hurled from behind a keyboard makes my heart weep for the hearts that truly aren't in tune with the Father's.  And with everything in me I believe that as Christ-followers, it is our job to rise above the muck and mire and stand united in love, representing the God we claim to trust.

My commentary says that we are to cover with love by way of forgiveness and forbearance. Forbearance is an interesting word choice that means... abstinence, refraining from something, patient endurance, self-control, abstaining from the enforcement of a right.

Ouch.  We've come so far... and yet we have so far to go.

As believers, we misrepresent the entire gospel message when we make a decision to get involved with conversations that lead to quarrels and bickering. Hate stirs up hate and it's healthy for no one. You have a right to your opinion, yes, but does voicing your opinion prove you're following a God who's very essence and character is love, compassion, forgiveness, and grace? Choosing to abstain from the enforcement of your perceived "right" will honor God and draw others to the mercy He offers.

I am going to choose to love by way of forbearance... withdrawing from any speech or spirit which is not God-honoring.  Anything else is choosing to partner with the darkness.

How are we helping when the words from our mouths are hateful and hurting?

Love offered mercy to a world who turned their backs on Him in blatant rejection. 
Love provided a way out for hopeless followers who'd loss their way.
Love withheld the punishment we deserved and replaced it with unimaginable grace.
Love sent His only Son to die in our place for our sin.

Let's be laborers of love instead of hurting with hate.

Finding JOY in the JOurneY,

Wendy