2 Corinthians 2:5-11 -It’s my duty to make sure that Satan does not win even a small victory over us, for we don’t want to be naive and then fall prey to his schemes.
Interpersonal relationships are often filled with disagreements and tensions. It’s common to hear someone long for the “good old days” of the New Testament when things were simpler and people were holier. But Paul’s ministry proves the first-century churches were no different. They were just as full of fights, tensions, and power plays as modern churches are. We should seek to be loving but also firm when the situation demands it. We should be quick to offer forgiveness to and seek reconciliation with those who turn back from their divisive actions. That’s what Paul did. [The Voice Translation]
I read this today from the voice translation, a synapses of 2 Corinthians 2. This really spoke volume to me and I had to share. Paul tells the church in Corinth to forgive the one who caused them grief and love him so that the evil one will have no room in our hearts. {Verses 5-11}
Just after the She Speaks conference I saw a comment from one of the attendees and realized she had offended me at the conference. {So it appeared to me} So right then the enemy took that thought and started to harass me mentally so much so I became vocal and my daughter heard me suggesting, "Mom you better message her and get it over with, you know you're just gonna keep talking about it." I complied, this is the conversation:
Me: Hi Martha, I'm the sister who wanted to include you in my video, when you made a negative comment and turned away. I felt embarrassed and now I feel it could taint my beautiful experience of the conference. Just wanted you to know that I was just making memories of my trip since it was my first time to the conference and North Carolina, coming from Toronto. Sometimes we have to be careful not to brush people off not knowing what issues they might be dealing with. I'm not upset about it though I feel a little thing in my heart and felt this would be therapeutic for me. Hope you hear my heart about this. Hope we'll get to meet next time. Blessings
Martha: Darling.... what in the world did I say to you? I'm heartbroken that I would hurt your feelings. What video? Please KNOW this, I would never intentionally in a million years say or do anything that would hurt a sister in Christ. How in the world can I make this up to you? Goodness, I'm so sad that I hurt you and made you feel embarrassed. Please forgive me.
Me: This message was more for me to let the enemy know that he can't use that one anymore. Don't feel bad, I have some things that are being renewed and because I felt a little nudge I had to deal with it . So in fact what you did, helped me, I guess I should say thanks, though you don't recall. This is how the enemy works to distract us from all the great things and wonderful friendships to focus on one slightly misunderstanding occurrence. Nuff said, It's done and I'm sorry for causing you any sadness, that was not my intention sis. Do me a favor and Laugh out loud, that's it he's a defeated foe.
Blessings
Martha: I'm so glad you reached out to me. So happy that we can hold up a hand to the enemy and say "No, you may not have our joy!" Thank you for reaching out to me. Because of your message, I reached out to someone over a misunderstanding. And we got it all straightened out.
Blessings!!
Me: Yaaaaay for the "Sisterhood." I love when that happens, I believe Daddy is smiling. Thanks for your understanding and for sharing your experience. My desire is to step up and deal with these occurrence at once, so the enemy won't have anything on me. Love the fact that God turned it around for His glory and our good. That's why I love Him. Remain blessed.
What impressed me the most was her quick response of “I'm heartbroken that I would hurt your feelings.” It bothered her that she might have offended me by her actions. Although it was my insecurities that lead us there, it took me a week to act on it, by the Holy Spirit’s leading. Thank God I did, because God wanted His girls to get the lesson. At the end of it all He got the glory and three sisters got rid of the junk and receive a blessing in our relationships. This, friends is what the enemy hates.
Romans 8:28 - We know that in everything God works for the good of
those who love him. They are the people he called, because that was his
plan. {NCV}
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