I don’t know about you, but today’s passage of scripture is one that I had to learn from experience. I have always had a difficult time loving those who did things to hurt me, or told things that were not true just to attempt to do damage. That GET EVEN attitude was one that doesn’t give up easily, it takes a deep walk with God to overcome those desires. The greatest example of overcoming the get even attitude is Jesus when he was hanging on the cross. Jesus looked down at those who nailed him to the cross and were responsible for the pain he was suffering and his reply to those was “Father forgive them for they know not what they do.” It is still an image I see when someone does things hurtful toward me. (Luke 6:35 But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the grateful and wicked.) I’ll be the first to admit that this was not easy for me to do, but following God’s direction and example to show grace instead of revenge toward others brings a great sense of joy to my life. The more you exercise Grace and Forgiveness toward others, the more you experience true Peace and Joy in your life. When we can look at people who’ve hurt us with compassion, there’s a party that goes on inside of us because of how God’s joy fills our soul. So who can you forgive and do something nice for today? Practice forgiveness and follow the path that leads to real peace and joy! Pastor Don