“Whenever anyone has offended me, I try to raise my soul so high that the offense cannot reach it” – Rene Descartes
We live in an offended world. Offense is taken in small things and large things. Nonetheless, I am not just a youngster knocking the volatile tendency’s of others. It has always been this way!
Name a century and name a year. There is a war somewhere in the world occurring. Name a country. You will find a land where much blood has been shed in an attempt to right a wrong. Name a person, you can find an overaction.
Offense is a part of life. Sometimes it is entirely unwarranted. But there are times, when it is wholly understandable. Christians, worldwide suffer persecution. I will belittle no Christian’s plight. Whether physical, spiritual, or mental abuses, we will be tried. We will be offended. Our offense is heard by our Father, but His answer is already delivered.
He has overcame the World, we are to benefit from His work, and bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not (Romans 12:14).
No matter how much God has given us (and believe me, “a lot” is an understatement), at times, my prayers turn primitive and ask God, “How can you ask such a thing of me? Bless those who persecute me? Surely God, you know I am a weak man.”
And God does. I know He does. The Apostle Paul affirms,
“And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong” (2 Corinthians 12:9-11).
When we are weak, God stands strong in our place. His grace is sufficient. We are rich and those who persecute, without Christ, are poor. They definitely are in need of a blessing. And we being so rich, how can we not offer it?
But plot twist. We really can’t bless anyone. The word for bless here, is a summoning or request from us to the Author of Blessings upon those who curse us. Having a rich relationship with Christ, we have the ability to pray for intercession for others.
We have such a great power but it comes in a task that is so difficult. Hand in hand, blessings and pain group. To be blessed (made happy), one must first be in torment, as is the case of the persecuters.
Therefore, I pray for strength. For all who read this.
The strength to endure trials. Strength to pray. A heart that does not question God, but loves every answer He has given. This is my prayer.
Selah.
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Beautiful!
Thank you for reading!