Dear Helen,
You wrote:
There were things that happened to me in real life too.
Di writes:
I know that this is all too common among believers who lean toward a personal relationship with God rather than following an organization or rules and regulations. And when I said above that my experiences were good it’s because of what you said below - Jesus' words on the cross have been very helpful, when he said "Father forgive them because they don't know what they are doing" - and because love thinketh no evil – which is the Divine perspective.
You wrote:
So I try to remember that.
Di writes: It’s the only thing we can do, sis.
As Jesus said:
And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying, blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. ~ from Matthew Ch. 5
And:
As Paul said:
Then put on the garments that suit God’s chosen people, his own beloved: compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience. Be forbearing with one another, and forgiving, where any of you has cause for complaint: you must forgive as the Lord forgave you. To crown all, there must be love, to bind all together and complete the whole. Colossians 3
It’s the royal law of love as Paul said. It seems to be the brokenhearted that see this though.
You said:
But I still get angry sometimes. It's especially not easy that there might never be 'closure' on some of the situations. I just have to accept that and let go and move on according to God's leading.
Di writes: Amen!
Here’s a quote for you that helps me to keep my eyes fixed on Jesus whenever something “bad” happens I remember this (among many, many other quotes and scripture verses):
"But truth, to the eternal praise and glory of God, will eternally say, that His love is as universal and unchangeable as His Being, that His mercy over all His works can no more cease, than His omnipotence can begin to grow weak. God's mark of a universal salvation set upon all mankind, was first given in these words, "The seed of the woman shall bruise the head of the serpent"; therefore wherever the serpent is, there his head is to be bruised...." Wm. Law
Di writes:
God triumphs and leads us in triumphal procession.
May His peace descend on you in ever widening ripples of love, Di (I stay awake nights just thinking up these things closings lol)
[ July 12, 2002, 05:04 PM: Message edited by: GH ]