Mean Christians?

Don't just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good.

Romans 12:9

You ever have those days when it just seems like everyone is being mean or rude?  It is as though you have a bull's eye mark on your back that says, "Attack me, yes! Attack me!!"  LOL LOL 

I understand these type of days and they can be so annoying.  Normally, for myself, it takes place out in the "secular" world and in everyday life and interaction with people that do not "walk in/with the Lord."  Yet there are days that Christians treat other Christians the same way the world would treat us, if not worse!  Lord have mercy!

Now before you think I am writing against anyone, I'm not.  I write against myself because I certainly have been guilty of this.  I have withheld compliments at times just because the person I should have given it to was irking me that day.  I have PURPOSELY avoided people in the long hallways of my church due to some dumb hormonal day I was having.  

And there have been times (too embarrassed to mention how many) but yes, there have been MANY times that I have just been.......(sucking in my breath)..... RUDE.  

EWWWWW. 

I usually get an "ewwwwwww" about an hour later, when the Holy Spirit comes looking for me.  I don't like the EWWWWWW from the Holy Ghost.  But he is so faithful to correct us on this earth when we grieve him.  I can tell you that my number one prayer to God isn't about money or things or issues with others.  No.  My number one issue is WITH MYSELF and my EWWWW moments.  

Here is a sample conversation initiated by the Holy Spirit when I am trying to tune him out after offending someone:

"You know you were rude to 'so-and-so' today.  It was not correct and you need to repent."  

"Holy Spirit, can't I get a break?  I am having a terrible day.  The cramps are bothering me, the husband is annoying me, the kids have burnt my last nerve, and I am bloated.  Can't I just get a break?  I will get better tomorrow."

"Tomorrow?  Who promised you tomorrow?  Furthermore, how do you know that the person you have offended purposely will even be around tomorrow??"

(Normally there is about an hour of silence after this type of rebuke...and then after I get to my senses..here is my reply.  Usually by this point, I am a red-faced, crying mess. Because his words have PIERCED my heart. Truth DOES hurt.)

"(((sighhhhhhhhhhhh))).  Holy Spirit, it is true.  I purposely went out of my way to be rude and nasty.  I ask you to kill off every part of me that is just UGLY and EWWWWW.  Forgive me, Lord Jesus, and wash me clean of my filth.  Lord God, I ask you to go to 'so-and-so' and heal them, even bless them Lord, bless them!!  I repent and I pray that they would find it in their hearts to forgive me.  Amen."

So if you have offended others either purposely or not, just rest in this:  You're NOT alone.  I am right there with you.  But that is not the good part.  What is good about two people making the same mistake?  Nothing EXCEPT the grace, the mercy, and the forgiveness of God that those two may rejoice in.  

Let us try (ouch) to really go out of our way NOT to be fake, but to LOVE genuinely.  Even when it hurts...

Amen.