My SOS to God

I recall a lesson God taught me when someone made some cutting remarks to me. Struggling to have a right response, I sent an SOS to God, "Please, give me a verse!"  I got up from the table where we were sitting and walked over to the kitchen cabinet where I saw a verse I had taped there days before. 

“And I myself also am persuaded of you, my brethren, that ye also are full of goodness" (Romans 15:14 KJV).  

I knew that God was saying, "Believe she is full of goodness." My spirit was not to be critical. 

Later when I understood the pressures she was under, I understood the reason for her sharp words. God knew that, and the mind of Christ said to believe good.

Jesus' own love that He puts within our hearts is the spirit that refuses to nurse hurts and grievances or harbor resentments. It is the spirit of Jesus, who prayed for His crucifiers, "Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do" (Luke 23:34).

The Holy Spirit within gives us an ability to excuse others' faults. "She's had a hard time in life." "She didn't realize how wrong it was." "He did not intend to hurt me." "She forgot I asked her not to tell." "He did his best." Such thoughts will help us to believe others are full of goodness.

As we show mercy, others will naturally respond with more mercy to us. "Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy" (Matthew 5:7).

Dear Jesus, please give me grace to view others as You do. Help me to "always slow to expose, always eager to believe the best, always hopeful" (1 Corinthians 13:5 Moffatt).

"Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God" (Romans 15:7).