August 16

Fight from Victory

Do to others as you would have them do to you (Luke 6:31).

Scripture: Luke 6:27-36

Song: “I’ve Got Peace Like a River”

Out of nowhere something totally unexpected happens. A distressing phone call. An unwelcome visitor. Maybe someone spoke words of hatred or slandered your name. Maybe a challenge has been laid on the table, and you wonder if you are supposed to take it or not.

Do not be tempted to hit the panic button. Resist that urge. Don’t scream, yell, lose your cool, or throw your arms up in despair. Instead, run to God for the answers. In life we are always running to something or from something. God has the answer to whatever we are running from.

It might look like a dead end or an impossible task at first, but our loving Lord uses situations like this to grow our faith. Trust Him and fall to your knees.

We can’t change what was said or done, but we can change the way we react, remembering that God has awesome ways of bringing us opportunities disguised as impossible situations. Treat the offender as he or she would wish to be treated. See what happens.

After all, it’s never too late for a new beginning for those who know that they fight from victory and not for victory. Thus there is great wisdom in something uttered centuries ago by Marcus Tullius Cicero: “It is better to receive than to do injury.”

Lord, thank You for giving me a new perspective and a new direction. Help me to see everything today differently, recognizing how I can glorify You in this situation, even amidst the great hurt. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.