TRANSFORMING TUESDAY: Enemies, Frenemies, Let God Handle Them

How would I describe life with God??? Hmmm an uphill battle but it's a battle I don't have to fight alone. Do you know one of the perks of having God at the center of your life? I do!!! He protects you from harm and things that other people worry about seem not to be a worry of mine. 

One of those worries that a lot of people pay too much attention to are enemies. Enemies have many faces. They come in the form of friends (aka frenemies), family members, church members, and even strangers. People who are envious are usually dangerous because they are jealous and have no boundaries when it comes to your downfall. It's really sad but they really exist. I know I've had a few frenemies in the past and once you've come to that realization that someone who is supposed to be a friend, is actually a foe in disguise, it hurts. You may want to get your revenge (I was once guilty of this toxic thinking) because you've been humiliated. Let me be the first to tell you that getting revenge does more harm than good for you. Never stoop to someone else's level. They're down/on that level for a reason :) 

We should all try to be like David in today's reading in 1 Samuel. He had issues with another army who conspired against him. They only conspired against him because they feared his power. Doesn't this sound familiar??? I'm sure it has happened to you if you've ever encountered someone who has been jealous of you. Personally for me, I know someone who I look up to happens to be jealous of me. For the longest I refused to believe it because it's a disturbing thought but God allowed colors to be revealed and I had no choice but to accept it. That's the thing with jealously...some people can become jealous because you have something that they cannot understand. Individuals who are favored recognize favored individuals, and in the same breath, individuals who are NOT favored recognize favored individuals. It has become a societal norm for us to reject, become fearful of, and even envy anything that is different. God's power is different. It cannot be duplicated, imitated, or compared. 

Don't fault your enemies for not understanding God's power over your life. Do what David did: although he wanted to take revenge on his enemies, he prayed to God for direction. God's guidance will never steer you wrong. Once David consulted God, David was promised everything that he had lost back. David gained his wives, his livestock, his possessions, and he was able to destroy his enemies. This is what God does when he works on our behalf. We don't have to worry about revenge, because when evil tries to come against anything that  is connected to God doesn't perish. God has the final laugh. If he did it for David, surely he can do it for you. So don't fret when evil comes against you. Give it to God and go on with your life. Enemies usually destroy themselves...Saul committed suicide before he could harm David.


Scriptures On How To Deal With Enemies:

• Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all men. If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men. Never take
  
  
  
  
  
  your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay," says the Lord. (Romans 12:17-19)
• "But I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you in order that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. "For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax-gatherers do the same? (Matthew 5:44-46)
• When a man's ways are pleasing to the LORD, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him. (Proverbs 16:7)
• for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. For he who in this way serves Christ is acceptable to God and approved by men. So then let us pursue the things which make for peace and the building up of one another. (Romans 14:17-19)
• Though I walk in the midst of trouble, Thou wilt revive me; Thou wilt stretch forth Thy hand against the wrath of my enemies, And Thy right hand will save me. (Psalms 138:7)
• Wondrously show Thy lovingkindness, O Savior of those who take refuge at Thy right hand From those who rise up against them. (Psalms 17:7)
• But Jesus was saying, "Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing." And they cast lots, dividing up His garments among themselves. (Luke 23:34)

My prayer is that we can all come to a place in our hearts, minds, and souls where there is NO hatred, NO evil, and NO deceitful thinking. A place where we can have peace and love one to another (especially our enemies) and where everyone can instead of covet one another, admire one another and strive to be better together. Although we seem so far removed from that place, I know that God is in the works. In the meantime, I pray that we love our enemies just as we love ourselves, and we have peace towards them. Instead of acting off of impulse my prayer is that we cast our cares upon the Lord. Ye thou we walk through the valley of the shadow of death, we will fear NO evil for HE is with us! Find comfort in knowing that God is always working on our behalf. And lastly, when someone finds something to hate on you about, remember how favored you are...it's something that everyone would want but something that few people have.

It's Never Too Late To Transform Your Tuesdays!!!

TRANSFORMING TUESDAY: JAMERA