Liz’s Morning Devotional based upon Upper Room
January 9, 2022
Read Ephesians 4:25-32
25 Therefore, after you have gotten rid of lying, Each of you must tell the truth to your neighbor because we are parts of each other in the same body. 26 Be angry without sinning. Don’t let the sun set on your anger. 27 Don’t provide an opportunity for the devil. 28 Thieves should no longer steal. Instead, they should go to work, using their hands to do good so that they will have something to share with whoever is in need. 29 Don’t let any foul words come out of your mouth. Only say what is helpful when it is needed for building up the community so that it benefits those who hear what you say. 30 Don’t make the Holy Spirit of God unhappy—you were sealed by him for the day of redemption. 31 Put aside all bitterness, losing your temper, anger, shouting, and slander, along with every other evil. 32 Be kind, compassionate, and forgiving to each other, in the same way God forgave you in Christ.
Good Morning! Be kind, compassionate, and forgiving to each other.
Words are very powerful. With positive words, we can lift someone up. With negative words, we can destroy someone. Think about all those with whom you come into contact on a regular basis: adults, children, those in charge, and those for whom you are in charge. How do you speak to each other?
Have you ever uttered words that you immediately wanted to take back? I’m sure we all have at some point in our lives. Words out of anger, disgust, or despair can cause damage to both the one from whom the words begin and with the one to whom the words are delivered. How can we “fix” this kind of damage? When we break a bone or receive a cut, we bandage our wounds and wait for physical healing, but words cause internal damage that is hard to “bandage”.
First, we must offer and accept forgiveness both to ourselves and those we wounded. Next, we must share our troubles with God because these internal wounds are not easily healed. Then we must allow for time to heal our brokenness. Only when we open ourselves completely, can true healing begin as we share kindness and compassion for one another.
If we don’t care for our wounds, they will become infected and fester within us poisoning us and causing mistrust among us. The hardest part of this process is trust: trusting God and trusting one another. Most often, someone or something will pick at this wound, maybe even years later in a most unexpected way. When this happens, we must be open and share our pain. Otherwise, the poison will continue to grow within us.
Through Christ, we are forgiven, our sins are erased. 32 Be kind, compassionate, and forgiving to each other, in the same way God forgave you in Christ.
Creator God, Thank You for loving us. You forgive us when we offer ourselves to you. May we learn to forgive ourselves and others. Help us to love our neighbors and to love ourselves even while we are still learning to live together as one body. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen
Thought for the day: Compassionate forgiveness is a part of my journey toward wholeness.
We are forgiven! Hallelujah! Pastor Liz
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