a bandaid ain't gonna fix this 268/366

"hurt people, hurt people"
it's a quote that is short and sweet
and it makes a lot of sense 

what would happen if we,
who claim to follow Jesus,
lived so that these quotes became commonplace:

loved people, love people, all people
forgiven people, forgive people, time after time
healed people, point hurting people, to the Healer

there are a lot of hurting people
who are hurting a lot of other people, 
even innocent people

it's easy to say "forgive"
it's easy to say "don't retaliate"
it's easy to say "let it go"

until it's your toes that have been stepped on
or your loved one that has been affected negatively
or your things damaged or taken away

*if you are feeling angry, justified in holding a grudge or planning revenge
and you are a follower of Jesus
stop, look and listen

stop reacting 
look at the example He set for us
pray, listen to His voice and follow His directions 

how beautiful would it be to hear: 
those Christian people-
they remind me a lot of Jesus

"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 13:34-35

"Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm." Ephesians 6:11-13

*yes, I know, Jesus got angry and He overturned tables and took out a whip and yelled-at religious people who had turned His Father's house into a place of commerce, distracting people from worship and overcharging for the things people needed to use in their worship. Is your anger fueled by the same types of things? If not, don't compare it to Jesus' anger.

"Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." Romans 12: 9-21