Hell Hath No Fury Like a Momma Bear

Photo Credit: Dawn Hudson via publicdomainpictures.net

I’m nothing if not loyal. If you mess with my family or friends, you will feel my wrath long before I enter the room.
 
If what you do to them is unintentional, that’s one thing. But if you mess with them and you know better, especially if you profess to love Jesus, then you will REALLY wish you hadn’t.
 
I have some friends who have been treated unethically, immorally, potentially illegally, and definitely unchristianly by people who love Jesus and do know better. My friends and their families have suffered greatly from these actions.  
 
I. Am. BEYOND. FURIOUS. Just ask those close to me.
 
Unfortunately, the situation goes past my friends personally and into the organization they are all attached to. It has suffered from this and it will only get worse.
 
I realize that asking for the heads of these people on platters is more than a little excessive. I admit that I am biased, and while I don’t have ALL of the facts, I do have a great many. Honestly, give me five minutes with all those involved and I can right all wrongs.
 
It’s a good thing I am not God.
 
One deep concern is what will happen to the organization in the long run. What if it doesn’t survive the damage?  Would God allow these actions to cause its death?
 
My thought is that quite possibly, yes He could. It saddens me to even write that.
 
But I have to remember that God is more interested in the hearts of the people than the organization itself. Not only my friends’ hearts, or their families’, but the people who are causing the damage, too.
 
God allows institutions, even countries and cultures, to be damaged or even destroyed by those who refuse to turn their hearts to Him, even if they are His own people.
 
God is willing to let them fall away if it means getting closer to our hearts.
 
Not only our hearts, but “theirs” as well. Because as much as I’d like to see these people as my friends’ enemies (and therefore my own), they aren’t. Our battles are not against other people, but against the actions of The Enemy using other people. I have to remember that my God is their God, too.
 
While people must be held accountable and bear the consequences of their actions (myself included), God requires us to love, offer mercy, and extend grace and forgiveness, in the hopes of reconciliation with God’s people, and God Himself.
 
I have to take my desire for justice out of my Momma Bear paws and put it in His hands and leave it there. My wisdom is foolishness compared to His. I have to be patient and loving, trust His way and timing, and know that no matter what happens with the organization, He will use it for good and His glory.
 
Sometimes the Momma Bear has to growl and bear it. 

#bethelove 
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