Heart Check

I woke up at 6:30am,made my coffee,and grabbed my Bible.I was ready for my dose of encouragement! I opened up to Philippians and was hit with this "Are your hearts tender and compassionate?"(Philippians 2:1). I couldn't go any further. These loud words had disrupted my "quiet time". Truthfully,my heart had recently been crushed,divided, and now exposed. This wasn't the encouragement I was wanting.

My heart is tender/compassionate... towards those who I'm on good terms with. Towards the person who lied,betrayed,hurt,and used me... well no. In fact, I wanted to take back all the heartfelt prayers I prayed for them... before I knew the truth. At this point,I just wept,because I was reminded of these things:

1. God has no favorites. He loves that person just as much as he loves me.He can redeem and use that person just as much as he can and has me. He doesn't dismiss their sin, but he can seen beyond it.

2. We are suppose to pray for our enemies (Matthew 5:44). Yup, that's right pray GOOD prayers.. not SPITEFUL prayers towards. It's painful and you may not have the words at first. You can start with just this, "God help them".

Now friends, I know this all sounds unbearable in the middle of hurt. But! I promise there is something therapeutic about it. It sets you free. It heals. It helps you forgive. It restores your broken heart.

Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate? (philippians 2:1 NLT)

But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! (Matthew 5:44 NLT)