Why are we afraid of mercy?
June 5 - June 9, 2023 | Always Peachy Devotionals | Mercy Week 2
Are you afraid to show mercy to someone?
When you think about showing mercy to someone, what is the first image that comes to mind? Is it a weakling who isn’t strong enough to do what is necessary? Or is it someone who is big and strong refusing to hurt someone weaker than him?
I’m not sure where we got the idea that showing mercy is the same thing as taking pity on someone. It’s not the same. Not even close. Maybe it’s because our culture and our world doesn’t understand healthy boundaries, and showing mercy to an abuser oftentimes means opening the door to allow them to keep abusing you. And that’s a valid concern.
But whatever else we may think about mercy, it’s not for the weak. It’s not for the fragile souls. And it absolutely doesn’t make you vulnerable.
Even so, our culture views mercy as though it’s the same as weakness, and that’s not the truth. Being able to show mercy to someone else is the furthest thing from weakness. But living your life as a merciful person can give people the wrong idea about your boundaries.
So this week we are going to talk a little bit about how to balance the mercy God calls us to apply in our lives while protecting the boundaries that keep us spiritually, mentally, physically, and emotionally healthy.
June 12 - Being merciful isn’t being a pushover
June 13 - Being merciful isn’t making excuses
June 14 - Being merciful isn’t living in denial
June 15 - Being merciful isn’t being weak
June 16 - Being merciful isn’t a one-and-done thing
And, of course, we can’t talk about mercy without touching on one of the most important verses about it in the Bible. This week’s memory verse is 2 Corinthians 1:9.
It’s so important to remember that even our perspective and definition of weakness is different than how God sees it. Nobody wants to be weak, at least not from a human point of view. Weakness means you can’t accomplish anything. Weakness means you need help constantly. Weakness means (usually) that you’re defective in some way.
But that’s not how God sees weakness. God sees weakness as the greatest opportunity to work miracles in and through us. If we don’t embrace our weakness, we will often prevent God from doing something great with our lives.
Granted, that doesn’t mean weakness has to become our identity. Weakness isn’t something that should define us. Only God is allowed to do that. But if we delude ourselves into thinking that we can manage life on our own, we’re headed for trouble.
Don’t be afraid to weak. Only when you’re weak can God make you strong. And it works exactly the same way with the idea of mercy. Mercy isn’t something you can just flip a switch and understand how to live. Mercy is something God has to help you learn how to use.
My prayer for all of you this week is that the Lord will show you the true meaning of mercy and that He will give you the courage to show it to the people around you in His name. That’s the difference maker.
Love you guys.
Amy
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