40 Days of Prayer, Striving to do Good to Each Other Genesis 50:20, Week 5, Day 5

When I was a kid, I had an intense dislike for one of my brothers who was seven years my senior. He was a yeller. He hit me often. He kept me from doing fun things. I was relieved when he went off to the Army’s basic training. However, my celebration was short-lived because he was an Army Reservist who was bound to come home after a few months.

When I grew a little older, since my brother was a boxer, I took up boxing lessons in hopes that one day I could give him a taste of his own medicine. Years went by, and I left the nest. By then, my former nemesis became more loving and caring toward me. He even came to visit me several times, which was neither a cheap nor short trip. To this day, I cannot remember when my anger toward him subsided, but it did.

The people who are the closest to us can cause the deepest wounds and the longest heartbreaks. Often, their behavior towards us was the product of their own brokenness, insecurities, or jealousies. God used my relationship with my brother to allow me to extend forgiveness and for me to witness redemption. Is God able to turn the offense, the wound, or the evil perpetrated against you by your loved one into something good?

REFLECTION PRAYER

Dear Lord, when a transgression is perpetrated against me by a loved one or someone else, please help me declare, “What someone meant for evil, God meant it for good,” as I witness Your perfect will unfold in my life! Thank You for Your steadfastness. Amen.

By Victor Matos