Compassionate and Humble

"Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing."

— 1 Peter 3:8-9

Gracious Lord Jesus, my friend and my King,

My heart is still unsettled, grieved and hurting. As our nation is split in two—half reeling from Charlie Kirk's assassination, half either apathetic or celebrating his death—I'm saddened and confused. As I see people I dearly love be taken over by hatred and depression, so quick to demonize those who believe differently, my heart weighs heavy and I continue to intercede in prayer. Your Word reminds me how to live today. Even if I just have these two verses as my focus today, this is Your direction for me.

"Be like-minded,"—be harmonious, of one mind, literally "together-minded." To have unity of mind. Lord, may I drop any contentious spirit, any divisive mindset, and remember that we are all in this together.

"Be sympathetic,"—having compassion for one another, suffering alike feelings with another, to experience pain together. Lord, may I feel deeply what others are feeling and demonstrate Your compassion to them in meaningful ways.

"Love one another,"—to love as brothers and sisters, brotherly love. Lord, may I see my Christian brothers and sisters through Your eyes of love, caring deeply for them and loving them as family.

"Be compassionate and humble."—to be tenderhearted, kindhearted, to have a humble opinion of one's self, modesty, lowliness of mind, a deep sense of one's littleness. Lord, may I approach others with a soft, tenderhearted and deep kindness. May I grow in humility and choose to stay small under Your mighty hand.

Gracious Lord, may these characteristics mark me today. May I bless those who hurt me when evil comes at me. May I surrender my internal desire to bite back and instead repay evil with blessing. May the blessing I inherit be extended to all who I touch today.

— In Jesus' Name I pray, Amen!

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