feeling hateful?

Romans 5: 6-8

6You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. 7Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. 8But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Do you ever wake up, and just feel hateful? Maybe you did not sleep well, or the first thing that springs to mind stirs up feelings that are far removed from being a Christian. I ask this, because I spend a lot of time talking about how scripture shows a good Christian should act. Yet, I hardly ever mention the days when it is hard to see the path we should take.

What do we do when you have “one of those days”, and we all have them, when the devil comes around and tries his hardest to get you to fall? When doing the right thing is the hardest thing to do and taking the easy way out is looking pretty appealing? We all feel like that from time to time, it is part of the journey, and a true test of our faith. Of course I am going to say that prayer, and turning to the Lord for guidance is the answer, but just as important I say is that on days like that you have to withdraw into yourself. Do some soul searching. Daily we should reflect on the fact that God loves us. He loves us so much that even at our worst, he sent his son to die for us.

I know your thinking, you have no idea, when I get down, and there is no light in sight. I say to that; go make some light. AS we are told in John 1: 9 The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world. We are in Christ and Christ is in us. Draw into yourself and find that light. It is there, and when you catch a glimpse of it, go out and share it with someone.

I have yet to find anything that will pull you out of a funk quicker that doing something for someone else to help them out. Nothing spectacular, something small, something easy, something……random. The problem is not getting down in the dumps, or feeling hateful; it happens to everyone form time to time. The problem lies in fostering that feeling! Don’t let the devil win the day, take steps to send him on his way.

When I was growing up my Mother would always tell me when I was feeling mean, or acting up, “just knock that little devil off your shoulder, tell him you don’t have time for him today.” You know what? She was right! The emotion is human; the nurturing of that feeling is the loss.

So recognize it for what it is, an emotion, it is the devil trying to chip away at you, let it go at that. Yes it is hard, yes it takes real effort, but at the end of the day, you will not only feel better for it, you will be better for it.


Peace,
Rev. T