Right Responses to Injustice
 

Perhaps this will help someone here to get over past hurt. I hope and trust so because these 5 guidelines work. :)



1. Choose to live in the present and not the past. Rather than let past injustices destroy any hope of being fruitful in the now, Joseph forgot the past and focused on the present. Through the grace of God, so can we.

2. Choose to free those who have injured you. Through God's grace, we can forgive even without discussing the past.

3. Remember that in the injustice, God is present. When God permits evil, He will use it for some higher end. We can move beyond our past when we can embrace it as part of His good plan.

4. Choose to bless those who have wronged you. Joseph did and Jesus commands us to (Matt. 5:44). Blessing those who have wronged you has the power to set you free.

5. Choose not to retaliate. Vengeance is God's business, not ours. Trust God to right all wrongs in the day of judgment.

Thanks for that Felicity, I am at a place right now that i am trying to get free of. Sometimes it feels like I am in a deep deep ditch trying to climb up the sides, yet I keep falling back down. But your post although it seems simple if followed I believe will help me get my perception back on track.

You're going to make it Sis. I don't know what your own personal situation or set of circumstances is or has been, but one of the keys to success in dealing with this sort of thing and getting up out of the ditch is having the "want to". Remember Bro. Ogg's mantra? "You gotta have the want to". :)

If there's a short supply of "want to", acknowledging that and going to the Source where there's a never ending supply of everything we need to live an overcoming life .... is the answer. God knows what we lack and He is the Provider for everything.

Feelings are such unstable things. Up one day, down the next. Happy one minute, angry the next. It never ends :) so we can't go by our feelings. Allowing feelings to reign rather than taking hold of the black and white reality of the Word of God will prevent us from ever living successfully for God.

You'll make it Sis! :)

Thanks for your encouragement. Yes, I know I will make it, God is faithful. I just have had questions in my mind on just how to get over this situation. I cannot discuss it and won't but it is something that is on my mind daily. It does seem to be getting better as time has started to heal but the things that you said put some things in perspective and gave me an outline to assist with conquering the battle. The ministry has to be one of the lowliest places to be at times.

Good post Felicity! :ty2

I am saving this list for future use.

Great post, Felicity...

Did you write this, or is this the devotional you read at work that you said you'd post. Just wondering if I should continue to "stay tuned."

No and no. The devotional was about friendship and the connections that we make. It was very short but good. If I can get it from my boss, I'll post it later. :)

Copied and pasted to WOrd Doc. I may use this for an outline for a Sunday morning some time.

Thanks for a thoughtful post Felicity. No wonder you are one of my most favorite posters.

Excellent post, sister.

I am fond of saying the true test of Christianity is to forgive when forgiveness is not asked for, and possibly not even appreciated.

Good stuff!

It all comes down to personal choices doesn't it!

Felicity,

Do you mind giving a reference to your first post - I'd like to read more.

It does, and an understanding of what the will of God is in regard to forgiveness and what the Word says about that.

Sometimes people don't want to know because then they don't have to deal with things in the right way.

Thanks!

Thank you sir. :o


So true! I think that it's also a sign of true spirituality. Doesn't mean that there's no struggle involved because there often is in getting our own will and the old man in line with the will of God. But making up your mind to conquer "self" is half the battle at least.

Okay... I hope you post the friendship devotional. I've been looking forward to reading it.

Regarding this thread; is there a book or something that you got this from? If so, I'm interesting in purchasing it & doing further reading on this. Please let me know. Thanks much!! :)

I think this thread would tie in good with the forgiveness thread!

Both threads are helping me have a different perspective on how others deal or don't deal with forgiveness. I've never had a problem with it because I don't hold a grudge, so sometimes it is hard for me to help others when I can't understand why they just don't move on.

I like this (& the forgiveness thread), too. They've been very helpful. Just yesterday, something happened that really upset me. My husband kept telling me to let it go; but I really wanted to do something - take care of business - FIX the situation... NOT let it go. But he kept saying, over & over, "Just let it go." So I'm trying to do that. I spent time in prayer yesterday, asking the Lord to handle the situation for me.

Anyway, I was hoping to read more on this subject. So, Felicity, if there is a book or something that you got this info from, please let me know.

Umm... Renda, what's up with your dog? LOL

It's been a busy morning and I'm tired! :) Anyhow .... in regard to what you said about your husband saying "let it go" ......

You know I'm surrounded here by books, books, and more books - some very very good ones.

I just put 10 on the shelf of one title and it addressed this very thing -- letting go - at least it was one of the things addressed among others of course. That some women are so into control and they need to let go of that. That they'll be happier overall if they do that. Just "give it up" and "let it go" so to speak - just like your husband told you to do. Good advice.

I take books home with me and some I skim through at lunch and make notes. I've bought a journal just for that purpose - so that I can do this.

And I have lots of things saved on my computer - resources for messages and teaching I've done in the past as well. A lot of things I have no "source" for.

Bolded is what the Lord requires of us.
Underlined is what appears to be what happens if we don't meet the requirements.

I choose to act justly no matter the injustice done to me.

I am not responsible for anyones actions or choices other than my own.

I choose to show mercy when none is shown to me.

I am not responsible for anyones actions or choices other than my own.

I choose to be humbled in knowing that I have erred and sinned against Him yet He has shown abundant mercy to me.

I am not responsible for anyones actions or choices other than my own.

Excellent post! Thank you.