Fall Forward: A Journey Of Struggle, Strength And True ForgivenessSample

Finding God’s Strength To Respond

When we have been hurt, what is our response? 

The Bible teaches us that there are three things the Lord requires: “to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.” We may be emotionally, mentally, and spiritually mature, and even physically strong in our own eyes. Yet, when our feelings are raw, is our first response to act justly? 

When emotions are tossing us like the waves, do we love mercy? 

If we seek revenge, are we walking humbly with God? 

The Bible also teaches us that the Lord has told us what is good. How are we to know what the Lord has told us is good if we are not allowing Him to speak to us by reading His Word? When we read His Word, He speaks to our hearts. When we read His Word, he gives us wise direction so that we act justly in an unjust world. When we read His Word, we love mercy, even towards those who have offended us. When we read His Word, we learn to walk humbly with our God. When we read His Word, we learn that all we should boast about is God.

When my brother was killed by his seventeen year-old-son, our family had to figure out how to do what God requires. How were we to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly? Months after Kirk’s death, crazy courtroom dynamics only served to put salt in the wounds. Yet, would different circumstances change the fact that my nephew, my parent’s grandson, my niece’s brother was still a member of our family? 

How were we to treat him in the days to follow? 

Were we to pretend he no longer existed? 

We definitely put healthy relationship boundaries in place, but we did not sever the relationship. We prayed for him as well. The same God who forgave our wrongs, forgives his. Which church would feel comfortable ministering to him now? If we had any wisdom, it was day by day. There is no doubt my family prayed through these days as well. In the years to follow, my nephew would ask my parents, “Can you ever forgive me?” Their answer was, “We already have.” 

Do you have a situation needing Godly wisdom to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly? 

God hears you when you pray.