Few things are more painful to the human heart than
strained or severed relationships. Because we love deeply, we can also hurt
deeply, and it is especially so in a Christian family unit.
I recently read two books that have powerfully changed
my prayer life and my view of people: The
Grace Outpouring by Roy Godwin and
The Power of Blessing by Kerry
Kirkwood. In them, I read many stories of how people and situations were
changed for the better when someone spoke blessing over them (even privately)!
We can do the same.
Do you have a difficult someone in your life? Jesus
says to us in Matthew 5:44, “Love your enemies, bless those who curse you; do
good to those who hate you and pray for those who spitefully use you.”
Why are we to do something that seems so contrary to
our human nature? The answer is found in I Peter 3:8-9: “Finally, all of you be
of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be
tenderhearted, be courteous, not returning evil for evil or reviling for
reviling, but on the contrary, blessing, knowing that you were called to this,
that you may inherit a blessing.” As we bless others, we ourselves inherit a
blessing; our God is a blessing God. His heart is to bless people and not curse
them, and we are to be imitators of Him.
Titus 3:1-2 also says, “Remind them to be subject to
rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil
of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men.” God’s
love never fails. When we bless people rather than say negative things about
them, God will have an open highway into their lives to bring needed change.
God is good; He is gentle and kind; He knows how to change people. Our job is
to bless rather than curse.
By “curse,” I don’t mean you necessarily use swear
words. Wishing someone ill or misfortune, or talking about how bad they are,
complaining to God about them, is cursing them. We need to learn to bless and
speak words of life, hope, peace, and healing over them. Kerry Kirkwood, author
of the book I mentioned earlier, said he grew up hearing his mom pray for his
dad this way: “O Lord, just dangle him over the flames and let him feel the
heat of hell.” Kerry says, “And feel it he
did, and so did our family! So, one day I asked her, ‘Why don’t you pray the
peace of God on him, so we can get some peace ourselves?’ Thank God, she
finally did.”
When I feel pained and distressed by someone’s actions
or beliefs, I have learned to immediately pray, “Father, I bless _______________
with health, strength, long life and good days. I bless them to receive Your
goodness and help; I bless their eyes to be opened to the truth that they may
have the joy of the Lord.” You know what? The first person to be changed is me. But as I bless, I sense the Lord’s
pleasure, and I have a peaceful heart.
Now think of the person (including political figures) who
irritates, angers, or saddens you the most. Bless them continually and watch
God work!
Copyright
© Elaine Beachy 2018
