Last week, we talked about doing acts of mercy for others.
Performing acts of mercy isn't always easy. Sometimes, it's really difficult, actually. But we do it anyways because our neighbors deserve it.
This week, it's not about our neighbor. It's about us. Sometimes, it can be easy to give food or drink to others. It can be easy to forgive a friend after they've hurt us.
But sometimes it's not easy to forgive ourselves for the things we've said or we've done. Our friends forgive us and move on, but we don't move on. We don't forgive ourselves. We hold ourselves captive by lies: I could have been better; I shouldn't have done that; what I did was unforgivable.
The biggest lie we tell ourselves?: I don't deserve mercy.
The reality of mercy is that we cannot give what we do not have. If we have not received mercy, we cannot give mercy to others. If you find yourself thinking that you're too far gone or too far to be saved, that's a lie.
We have to fight our pride, our shame, and our doubt with humility, mercy, and encouragement. As much as we want to help others, we must be filled first. Filled with the fruits of joy and love.
All for His glory,
MB
