Gain From The Negative

 Words hurt. It could be in the form of criticism, correction, or hate. It could come from all kinds of people but the ones that hurt the most come from the ones you love the most. You can hang on to them like your life depended on it; but it acts just like a cancer. Holding on to hurtful words makes you physically and mentally sick, weak, and eating away at you from the inside out. It kills you. I know how hard it can be to let go of past hurts because I am trying to heal myself, but here is an uplifting thought that may help. I was in church listening to a sermon that hit close to home. The minister talked about how Peter was the most outspoken of the all the disciples. He was rebellious and foolish. All of this, of course, was before he was converted by the Holy Spirit of God. He pointed out some examples like Mark 8:33 when Peter rebuked Jesus, John 18: 15-27 Peter denies Jesus three times, Matthew 17 when Peter wanted to make tabernacles for Elijah and Moses, and John 13 when Peter did not want Jesus to wash his feet. There are other examples but I will stick with these. Peter and I have something in common, we both act/speak first and then we think afterwards. The point that the minister made that I have never thought about before is that despite all of the rebuking that Peter got he never was discouraged. He did not allow himself to be depressed over these things. He didn't pout and say he wasn't enough. Instead he was the one in midst of all the disciples that stood up and said, "we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God" (John 6:69). Peter recognized who Jesus is but he also recognized who he (Peter) was. He didn't allow hurtful words or corrections bring him down because he knew he was a child of God no matter what. Peter later says, "but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark of the high calling of God in Christ" (Philippians 3:13-14). That's the challenge, looking forward instead of behind. I don't know about you but I get tired of being angry, sad, or stressed. I want to trust God fully and let Him have control over my life, especially my heart. I try too hard and fail to do everything myself when I cannot. I dwell on all of my past hurts and things people have said to me that broke me, but I just don't want to anymore because it does nothing for me. A close friend of mine said to me one time to make other's mistakes my stepping stones. I thought this over and decided that can also be true with things people say to you that are negative. Make them your stepping stones. I know sometimes, depending what it is, what the other person says to me may have some truth in it. It definitely takes God to help me to be humble enough to accept it and ask for His help to change me because I cannot change myself. Gain from the negativity. It takes a lot of patience, humbleness, love, and learning but with the help of God (and only Him) it is very possible. I believe that with all of my heart and I fully intend to give Him all of my heart and desires to Him tonight so that I can learn from Him and enter into His rest. God Bless You!