Sorry, no results.
Please try another keyword
by Bob and Debby Gass
Friends In Disguise
September 23, 2018
‘I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions and troubles that I suffer for Christ.’ 2 Corinthians 12:10 NLT
When you’re insulted, you can retaliate with a stinging comeback or see it as a growth opportunity. David said, ‘It is good for me that I have been afflicted, that I might learn Your statutes.’ (Psalm 119:71 NKJV) Psychologist Dr Brenda Shoshanna says: ‘The person who insults us is a teacher… come to help us reduce our ego, develop patience and compassion, practise unconditional forgiveness, and teach us about life and relationships. If you don’t perceive an insult as an insult, but as a teaching or a gift, it loses its power to hurt you. On a practical level, if you’re insulted, say nothing. Give yourself time. Much harm is created by lashing back, escalating the situation, and saying things you may not mean. Recognise it’s your ego—that false sense of pride acting up—and don’t go along with it.’ Paul reached a place where he actually took ‘pleasure in…insults’. Most of us aren’t quite there yet, but with time and practice it can happen.
Consider the actions of Judas. Although he betrayed Jesus, he nevertheless accomplished God’s will—in fact, he was instrumental in God’s plan of redemption. So it can be that God can bring blessing into and through our lives by the betrayal of friends or the malicious action of enemies. God, who makes all things work together for good for those who love Him, can use even our worst relationships as a means of untold blessing. We can’t stop hurts and wounds from coming our way but, because of the grace of God, we can transform them so they resound to His glory. And we can realise that even enemies, like Judas, are really friends in disguise.
Soulfood: 1 Ki 17:1–6, 1 Ki 18:16–39, 1 Ki 19:9–18, 2 Ki 2:1–12
The Word for Today is authored by Bob and Debby Gass and published under licence from UCB International Copyright © 2018
Subscribe Today
Have this devotional delivered to your inbox for daily inspiration.
More Inspiring Devotions
In Scripture, the number forty denotes testing, trials, and temptation. God told Noah, Seven days from now I will send...
The story is told of a man in a supermarket pushing a trolley with a screaming baby. He kept repeating...
Because Gods Spirit lives within you doesnt guarantee His power is at work in your life. Gods power is available,...
When the pressures in your life begin to mount, the first thing you will be tempted to drop is your...
Showing 1-4 of 5706 results