Almost a week had gone by, and I still hadn’t received reply texts from several of my friends. I sent one friend a silly photo. I asked another a question. And I was trying to make arrangements with the other friend. Yet, none of them replied back.
I struggled with not being offended by this compound shunning. I had to capture every negative thought. I knew my friends, and they usually always communicate back with me in a day or two when they get a chance. However, it had been six days and I began to worry.
Did I do something wrong? Were they busy? Did I somehow offend them? And I wrestled with anxious thoughts that I knew were wrong.
As I tried to find reasons for their lack of communications, I felt the Holy Spirit say, “Does it matter?” I realized that as a Christian I’m called to love with a love that overlooks all wrong. My focus should be so much on Jesus that my initial knee-jerk reaction in every situation is made in love, truth and forgiveness.
Finally, after I found peace in my circumstances, I discovered that I hadn’t been getting any of my text since I bought my new phone six days before. My friends hadn’t been ignoring me. I had been ignoring them! Thank goodness they saw the best in me and overlooked my lack of communication!
Memory Verse:
“Hatred stirs up conflict, but love covers over all wrongs.”
– Proverbs 10:2 (NIV)
Prayer Prompt:
“Father, please help my reaction in every situation be filled with love, truth and forgiveness. I want to be so filled with You, Jesus, that the little bites of this world don’t hurt. When I start to feel those negative thoughts creeping up again, help me to lean into You and find peace in Your Truth and Word….”
Contributing Writer:
Alisa Hope Wagner
Faith Imagined
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