Tale of Two Man

Some time ago there were two men. Both of them were taken advantage of by many people over and over again.
One of them continually thought of the abuse he had received and as a result grew angry and bitter. Because his thoughts were always on the abuse he had received he even began to believe things that were not true. He wanted to prove to everyone that he had been mistreated unfairly. He was so involved with trying to justify himself that he never accomplished all the great things God had prepared for him.
The other man was also treated unfairly at times but his attitude was different. Instead of accusing others of what they had done to him he tried to look for the best in them. When someone would inform him how he had been mistreated by others he would refuse to allow it to enter into his spirit and instead would make excuses for them and pray for the best for them. As a result he had a continual joy and peace about him that was a blessing to all who came around him.
Which man was blessed by God? " Blessed (happy, to be envied, and spiritually prosperous - with life joy and satisfaction in God's favor and salvation, regardless of your outward conditions) are you when people revile you and persecute you and say all kinds of evil things against you falsely on My account. Be glad and supremely joyful, for your reward in heaven is great (strong and intense),..." (Matthew 5:11,12 Amplified Bible).
All of us feel that we have been mistreated by others at times. Sometimes it might have been an actual deliberate attack against our character by someone wishing to gain power or achieve some other type of recognition to promote themselves. Other times it may not have been premeditated.
The important thing is how we react or respond in these type of situations. Our "flesh" wants to retaliate and "get even" but the scriptures state otherwise. If anyone had the right to defend themselves...Jesus did. But scriptures state, " He was oppressed, [yet when] He was afflicted, He was submissive and opened not His mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb (silent), so He opened not His mouth. " (Isaiah 53:7 Amplified Bible).
Some may say, " But that was Jesus. I am not Jesus! " That may be true... but the Same Holy Spirit that lived in Him and anointed Him to love and serve also lives within every believer. Scriptures state, " ...But if anyone does not possess the [Holy] Spirit of Christ, he is none of His [he does not belong to Christ, is not truly a child of God." (Romans 8: 9b Amplified Bible).
That is why Jesus commanded His disciples, " ...Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you." (Matthew 5:44b Amplified Bible). He equipped us to be able to do that which is contrary to the "natural" unregenerate man.
Romans 5:5b states, " ...God's love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit Who has been given to us." (Amplified Bible). Therefore let us all yield to the Word of God and Spirit of Christ and we will enter into a realm of God where the world will know we are Christians by our love to one another and the kingdom of God will be established in our lives and here on earth. " Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven." Amen.
Remember... God gives His love to us so we can give that same love to others.
Have a blessed week in Jesus, brother Bruce and sister Snooks