Imagine that one morning you awake to find bruises all over your body. Some are fresh while others are starting to fade away. The pain is real so it is not a dream but you cannot understand what has caused all of this bruising. You went to bed fine and now you look like you just lost a heavyweight boxing match.
On your way to work you notice there are many others with similar contusions. Their eyes are black and blue, their noses are bloody and broken, and their legs are limping behind with every step. Again you can’t piece it together and you try to make sense of it all…but you just can’t.
You start to also notice others that are perfectly normal. Not a bruise or mark on them. This is very odd and does not make sense at all.
Finally, a friend clues you in on what’s going on. He tells you that it is only Christians that are bruised while all others are not.
Anger sets in quickly and you begin to wonder just how could this be allowed to take place! This is surely a crime against Christians and it must stop!
Now let me tell you what really has happened. The bruises are just physical representations of the verbal assaults that have taken place on you and all other Christians.
But it goes even deeper than that.
They are not attacks from just anyone nor or they attacks by non-believers as you are quick to think. They are instead, attacks by our fellow Christian Brothers and Sisters.
YES! Those marks reflect the pain inflicted upon each other by other Christ followers.
Surprised?
No, I didn’t think you would be.
You see, we all have been hurt by others in our Church. What happens here is that we fight the battles of life six days a week and head to church on Sundays looking for some relief. A shelter of sorts. While there, the last thing we expect is someone to hurt us. Unfortunately, it happens and when it does, it hurts…deep.
I ask you, how great and mighty could we be as united Christians if we stopped targeting ourselves and started fighting the real enemy? Just like a wounded soldier is not as strong to fight the battle as can a healthy one, neither are we at full potential on the front lines when we are beaten and bruised by our own Brothers and Sisters.
Why then do we attack each other when the real enemy is very much alive and prevalent? Just think of what could be accomplished if we all stood together in the gap for God.
One thing is for sure, our Father would NOT be constantly kicked out of our community, our government, our schools, or a number of other places in our great country.
- Say nothing at first – Give them BOTD (Benefit Of The Doubt). They may have misunderstood or maybe even had a bad day/week. Stress can make people do and say things they really don’t mean.
- Forgive them immediately – Don’t let it sour your heart. Let it go and move forward.
- Take your time – Give yourself ample time to settle down. Think the situation through and figure out the best Christian way to handle it.
- Be the example – Once you are ready, speak only good words that bring life to their world. They may just need to have someone be kind to them. Sometimes life can be rough on all of us.
- Love like Christ – This is hard to do for us and I have not always been the best at it myself. However, it is something we always need to strive for daily. Love unconditionally and do it always. This will bless them and you both.
There is great power in unity and supernatural power in unity with a centralized focus on God Almighty.
Just think of what could be done if all His people focused only on His glory and made Him the center of their lives completely. I dare say it would not only astound us all but would completely shift our world for the better.
Let’s make that stand TOGETHER friend and let’s start TODAY!
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