Made in God’s image

I used to fight a lot when I was younger due to negative feelings that I had inside that hadn’t been dealt with yet. Fighting felt really good giving me a sense of peace even though it was temporary. I had liked boxing ever since I watched it on TV and thought that I could be a boxer myself. Thinking that I really wanted that in my life because it made me feel good I practiced as much as I could on a heavy bag and on people. An opportunity had presented itself in 2003 at the California’s tough man competition. I trained as hard as I possibly could for this fight and when I showed up there was 2500 people in attendance and 13 fights that were to happen that night. I was very nervous walking through the crowd to the ring and never seen that many people in one place before, it was very intimidating to say the least. Once I got into the ring however I felt a little bit better knowing that I could accomplish something great. I ended up winning by TKO and was exhausted. I gathered up my things from the back room and watch the last couple of fights on the TV and when it was all over started heading through the crowd to the doors. Walking through the crowd people were patting me on the back congratulating me for a job well done but it was like it didn’t phase me at all. Even though I wasn’t following God at the time I felt like I heard him through all those people talking. He was telling me that I no longer needed to fight physical fights and this feeling had rushed over me in agreeance. The next couple of days we’re really strange but I felt this peace and no longer wanted to fulfill my dream of becoming a boxer. It was still hard dealing with people though and whenever I had a disagreement with someone my fists would start to clench but I didn’t really want to hurt anyone. A couple of years later I was reading the book of Genesis and something caught my eye. Genesis 1:27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. Then I read Matthew 5:38-39 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for an eye, and tooth for a tooth. But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. This was really difficult to wrap my mind around but took it to heart. I still get upset with people and sometimes get angry but I no longer clench my fist to harm anyone. I couldn’t imagine willingly want to hit someone who’s made in God’s image and how many years I spent doing just that. Thinking about that verse help me with the verses in Matthew on turning the other cheek. It’s hard when you get upset with people who are really mean but those are the people who need God’s love the most. It’s not showing that we are weak,” Which I thought initially,” it’s loving others who are struggling and don’t know how to deal with their anger. If you are struggling with this issue today and need help then I challenge you today to lift it to God to help massage your hardened heart. Heavenly Father thank you for yet another beautiful day. Please forgive us for our sins and trespasses. Lord we lift up to you our hardened hearts today in hopes that you will massage it and soften it so that it will be filled with the love that you have for us. Help us to look past the anger and hatred in others knowing that they are just lost and need love also. In Jesus precious name, Amen!