It is better to return good for evil. Not easy, not comfortable, but God-honoring.

It is far better to endure patiently a smart which nobody feels but yourself, than to commit a hasty action whose evil consequences will extend to all connected with you; and, besides, the Bible bids us to return good for evil.  

~~Charlotte Bronte

This morning’s prayer and meditation for Sally’s healing comes from Take Heart, Oh God: Riches from the Greatest Christian Women Writers of All Time.

God’s way is often topsy-turvy to what we see. He promises that he works all things (even bad things) for our good. He promises to be our defender and the judge of anyone who would show us injustice. So, with his promises in place, he also gives us strength to endure pain when we have no way to escape it. He even gives us ability to return good for evil to those who hurt us.

That’s exactly what we should do. Charlotte Bronte advises that it is better to endure a hurt patiently than to commit a hasty action that will cause evil consequences to everyone around. Better to hurt a little oneself than to spread the hurt to others. And, beyond that, better to return good for evil.

Not easy, not comfortable, maybe not even fair. But God-honoring.

And that’s what matters.

Prayer for Meditation

Father, thank you that you are able to turn evil into good. Help me to trust you.

Scripture for Meditation

After burying Jacob, Joseph returned to Egypt with his brothers and all who had accompanied him to his father’s burial. But now that their father was dead, Joseph’s brothers became fearful. “Now Joseph will show his anger and pay us back for all the wrong we did to him, “they said.

So they sent this message to Joseph: “Before your father died, he instructed us to say to you: ‘Please forgive your brothers for the great wrong they did to you—for their sin in treating you so cruelly.’ So we, the servants of the God of your father, beg you to forgive our sin.” When Joseph received the message, he broke down and wept. Then his brothers came and threw themselves down before Joseph. “Look, we are your slaves!” they said.

But Joseph replied, “Don’t be afraid of me. Am I God, that I can punish you? You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people. No don’t be afraid. I will continue to take care of you and your children.” So he reassured them by speaking kindly to them. Genesis 50:14-21

Music for Meditation

He Will Carry Me 

If you feel led to do so, please post a note of encouragement in the comment section below, or send your note by email to PrayersForSally@gmail.com