Hard Lessons

I am going through Step Studies at church right now and it has been TOUGH but also so good... If you don't know what that is, it's a program simular to Celebrate Recovery , but our church has modified it a bit. It's been very challanging, but very worth it. I'm to the point now were I have to deal with forgiveness and serving others. It's been a hard challange and God has been working in my heart to teach me that it's not about me, I'm just as messed up as everyone else (if not more so), I can't judge others, I cannot hold a grudge against others, etc. I just am learning that it doesn't matter what others to do me, or how terrible I think things are, I am still called to behave in a loving way and serve others regardless.

I'll be honest, this is very hard for me! I have a very strong desire for justice and fairness, and hate to be taken advantage of, used, trampled on, etc. and see someone get away with it. I also like to blame others when they do things to me and therefore justify my reaction. And, even if my reaction might be "right" according to the world, holding a grudge and making things "fair" is not always loving and/or Christ-like.

So, I just thought I'd share some verses I've been reading through and ask for prayers! I am fighting so hard against this and hate to let it go, but I SO need it....I've definitely made some progress, but it's been a daily struggle.

-If anyone imagines that he knows something, he does not yet know as he ought to know.
1 Corinthians 8:2

-"knowledge" puffs up, but love builds up.
1 Corinthians 8:1b

-So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.
Matthew 7:12

-"You shall not hate your brother in your heart, but you shall reason frankly with your neighbor, lest you incur sin because of him. You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the LORD.”
Leviticus 19:16-18

-For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
Matthew 6:14-15

-You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.
Matthew 7:5

-For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself."
Galatians 5:14

-he answered, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself."
Luke 10:27