"in the depths of Christ's love"

Friday, October 2, 2020 (6:28 a.m.)

Holy God,

Thank You for again reminding me. This time in the form of an American Sentence. “There is no room for bitterness or resentment in loving others.” Yes. Thank You!

Oh Yes thank You Dearest Lord. Thank You that as easily as bitter resentments come along we have Your Word to guide us through them.

Ephesians 4:31

Hebrews 12:15

Contemporary English Version begins Your Truth with verse 30 and takes it through 32. “Don’t make God’s Spirit sad. The Spirit makes you sure that someday you will be free from your sins. Stop being bitter and angry and mad at others. Don’t yell at one another or curse each other or ever be rude. Instead, be kind and merciful, and forgive others, just as God forgave you because of Christ.”

Truth, Father! Your Word speaks Truth. Your Truth. Thank You.

Yes thank You that we can bring every single emotion we ever experience to You and find Your better way of dealing with them. Thank You God that You love us so much more than we could ever imagine.

The Passion Translation tells us that we are to “Lay aside bitter words, temper tantrums, revenge, profanity, and insults. But instead be kind and affectionate toward one another.” It asks the question, “Has God graciously forgiven you?” And answers, “Then graciously forgive one another in the depths of Christ’s love.

Hmm… “In the depths of Christ’s love.” I am oddly comforted by these words. Have I considered them before? Thank You Father for bringing me to Your Book this morning. I desperately need the reminding.

I confess to You this very instant that I don’t know how to proceed in the relationships that have seemingly been derailed through the years by unresolved hurts and slights. My idea is to jump right in and work hard to resolve them.

I am instead turning to You. Your Word. Your Truth. Your guidance. And awaiting Your direction.

(1:09 p.m.)

And just like that [snap!]… back to back phone calls dealing with years long disappointments and hurts filtered through Your Truth. Thank You Father for Your enduring Truth.