Today we come to Romans 12:14 which says, “Bless those who persecute you. Bless and do not curse them.” What does this mean? It means to pray for those who mistreat you, asking blessing to befall them, not evil. It means not being crabby to people who treat you crabby. It means not responding in kind. Truthfully, this is easier said than done and takes a work of the Lord. I have felt wronged so many times walking into stores these last months being greeted by the crabbiest people who care more about getting stinky blobs of hand sanitizer into my hand rather than greeting me kindly and respectfully. In my opinion, these workers could do their jobs much more joyfully. The struggle for me is in resisting the temptation to respond in kind. Below is an example from today.

This afternoon I took my youngest to Great Clips to get a haircut. As we were getting out of the car, I realized that I had forgotten my mask, so I peeked my head in to the store and was just about to ask if they had any disposable masks, but did not get a chance. I was practically chased out by a worker who was holding a bottle of hand sanitizer squirting it into my hand while saying that I couldn’t come in without a mask. So, Gwendolyn and I walked down to a couple of other stores checking if they had any masks. After a bit, we found a store that had a box of disposable masks, so we took a couple and were able to keep the haircut appointment. We walked back to Great Clips, and I asked if I could use their restroom, and they said it was closed to public. Grrrr!!! I was mad and let them know. So, we had to leave again, walk down to Caribou Coffee, and use their restroom. As we were walking to the Caribou, Gwendolyn told me that it embarrassed her when I got mad like that. She said that as Christians we should be the most gracious and not be crabby back. Ahhhh!!! Out of the mouth of babes. She was right! After her haircut, I tipped the hairstylist generously and walked away humbled.

So thankful that God’s mercies are new every morning and that I get a fresh chance tomorrow to be a doer or the word and bless and not curse those just doing their job even though, at times, that job seems to be done in such a mean way. God means all of this for my good and for His glory.

Why should we bless and not curse? Because it’s commanded of us, in Christ. 

Matthew 5:44 But I (Jesus) say to you, “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.”

Luke 6:27-28 But I (Jesus) say to you who hear, “Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you. Bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.”

I Peter 3:9 Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing.

Philippians 2:13 Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.

Proverbs 10:12 Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all offenses.

Ephesians 4:31-32 Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

Blessings to you as you pray and not curse,

Heather

When You Pray…

Each day: 

1. Pray for yourself.
2. Pray for you spouse.
3. Pray for your children.

Weekly:

Sunday – Government

Monday – Immediate Family

Tuesday – Your Church 

Wednesday – Your Extended Family

Thursday – Your Spouse’s Extended Family

Friday – Your Friends

Saturday – Variety

Feel free to go back and review in more detail the weekly prayer points.