Week 1 | Day 3 | Love your Brother

Command:

This is my command: Love each other. John 15:17 (NIV)

Read:

Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Romans 12:19-21 (NIV)

Reflect:

My brother-in-law wronged me in a big way. He stole an expensive financial asset and stopped talking to our family. His actions hurt my young children, and most painfully, my husband. This was my husband’s big brother that was causing the pain. Someone he looked up to and respected. We trusted him financially and emotionally. He hurt us with his attitude of “I don’t care about you!”

We were left with the dilemma of what to do. We were angry and looking for retribution. We considered bringing the matter to court and let a judge get involved with the matter. With tensions high, we took a deep breath and prayed. After spending some time in the word, receiving godly counsel from Christian friends, and reflecting on Jesus’s example, we decided to do nothing. Yes, that’s right, nothing. No repayment of lost funds, and no consequences.

It was a painful period in our life with the financial and relational loss. Many years went by before we started speaking to my brother-in-law. No apologies were offered, but love brought us through to a new relationship with my brother-in-law. This is in God’s hands now. We are loving this family member that needs our compassion, as he has suffered many health issues recently. Without Jesus’ example, this would be impossible for us with our earthly perspective.  

React:

Our loved ones disappoint us sometimes. There are many ways to react. Choose the high road, love the best you can, and let God do the rest.

Pray:

Sometimes my ways are not your ways. Loving and forgiving someone that has wronged me is so hard. I’m looking to you to guide me when I don’t know what to do.