I believe it was Rick Warren who said that “hurting people hurt people.” As a pastor who has seen a lot of pain, I don’t know of any truer statement than this, so today, I want to invite you to consider what would happen if you purposefully adopted this view of the ones who wrong you. Do you have any idea how life-changing it might be if someone blatantly offended you and you purposed in your heart to show them the Kingdom of God rather than judgement?

What if someone cuts in front of you in line at the store? While your natural inclination might be to read them the riot act, do you think it would hold their attention if you engaged them in conversation and showed a genuine interest in them instead? I dare say that it would! Or what if you went out to eat and the server was just awful — brought your food out cold, never refilled your drink and took forever to bring your bill? While it would be normal in that case to leave a small tip (if any at all), what would happen if you left the biggest tip you ever have? What if you tipped  40%, 50% or even 100%? Perhaps an overwhelming and undeserved act of kindness would change that person’s life and their work ethic — you just never know!

Friend, I encourage you today to be radically merciful to those who wrong you. Rather than being a watchdog for justice — leave that up to Jesus — choose instead to be a conduit of His powerful and redemptive love. When someone insults you, say something kind about them. When someone steals from you, give them something else. As you make deliberate choices to bless the ones who harm you, the effect is potent and life-changing! You see, it’s not about you; about proving yourself, feeding your ego, being right, or ending up on top, it’s about inviting people into the Kingdom of God. When you do this, you introduce them to Jesus, the only One who can ease their pain and heal their heart for eternity! Isn’t that an awesome thought?