Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins..
1 Peter 4:8 (NIV)
One of my readings this week shared the above passage.
After I read that verse, I dove into my bible to read it in context. And found that I’d already highlighted it.
Obviously it really spoke to me. It called to my soul in some way. I don’t journal when I read and pray so I don’t know what it was that drew it to me the first time, but I do know what drew me to my bible this time. I wanted to understand what that verse was really saying. What does it mean??
I reached out to a friend and we chatted about it for a few minutes but then I had to go to work and work exploded in badness so I wasn’t able to even go back to my chat with her about it. I wasn’t really able to think about it until today.
Now I have time to really ponder it. What does Peter mean?
I read this page. Then this page. And more pages. And my study bible. But the second link I shared has this line: “Love for each other includes forgiving each other, overlooking past hurts, and building each other up when we fall. It is difficult for sin and resentment to flourish in a community rich in Christ-like love. ”
That’s it right there, at least for me. Forgiveness. Helping each other. Striving to love each other as Christ loves us. Knowing that we’re imperfect but trying our hardest anyway. That is the entire point of everything we do.
I hurt a friend recently. The day after, she turned around and hurt me in turn. I’m angry about it. I’m angry with her. I’m still angry with myself for hurting her but when she hurt me that gave me an amazing excuse to not focus on the pain I caused her – no more reason to learn and grow and focus on making myself better. Instead I can now focus on what she said to me and I can dissect every part of it and tell you how and why she hurt me. And trust me – I’ve practiced what I want to say when I have a chance to talk with her about it.
I’m glad I won’t be able to talk with her for at least 5 days because that would only serve to hurt her more – I still want to lash out and punish her for what she said. I know that Jesus wouldn’t have done that.
I’m not perfect. Neither is my friend. I care about her. My soul hurts because of the pain I caused her. My soul hurts because of the pain she caused me.
What would Christ do? That’s what I keep going back to. Over and over and over.
What would Christ do?
I know the answer. I can only pray and ask the Lord to help me swallow my pride and forgive her. I can only pray and ask Him to help me forgive myself. I know I need to talk to her about this mutual pain we’ve caused each other so we can move forward. But it has to be done in a way that respects, loves, and most importantly, builds her up. She is a good person and so she deserves nothing less from me.
Isn’t it wonderful how when we’re lost God hands us the answer to our problems? I’m so grateful for that – and grateful that I have to chance to learn and grow in His love and grace. My life isn’t easy right now. But with God on my side I know I can do it. I just need to remember to turn to Him and trust that He’s got my back – because He absolutely does.
Thank you, Lord. Thank you for your grace and love and forgiveness. Help me learn to be reflect that back to the world and on myself. It’s easy to forget you and focus on the pain I’ve cause to others and the pain caused to me. Help me focus on you and continue to try and walk in Christ’s footsteps and let His love outshine my ugliness. Amen.