I have a co-worker who is mentally ill. Now, before I knew they were ill, I would get upset at their behavior  towards me. Frankly, they're rude. But, just today, The Lord opened the eyes of my understanding and showed me they actually do suffer from a mental illness.  This led to this thought -

Everyone on earth who is not Born-again and filled with the Holy Spirit is mentally ill, or, let's say spiritually ill. Either way - they're sick. Knowing this, knowing hate, lust, greed, pride - all of it is a result of a sick soul - makes their behavior much more bearable  - like Jesus did when they were committing suicide by crucifying Him and He said "Father forgive them! For they know not what they do!" Can you say this as they're crucifying you? Can you choose not to retaliate or get bitter but rather pray for them?

I once worked in a mental hospital (my wife thinks I was a patient there, lol). I worked closely with the patients - the point is, when one is surrounded by mentally ill people,  your heart breaks with compassion for them. You don't get angry or upset at their behavior or words, rather, you're patient and kind and long-buffering  - you forgive them and pray for them, knowing how ill they are. Would you get angry at a cancer patient who doesn't have long to live? Who doesn't have the strength to stand and walk with you? Or to clean up their own messes they make? Then neither should you get angry with the sick, lost souls you meet who hate or despise or ignore you. This is how we should treat everyone who sins against us - with love, forgiveness and compassion  - reminding ourselves they're sick.

Jesus is their cure - he's only a heartbeat away - one prayer can free them. The cure for their sickness,  their sin, soulish and spiritual is God's love expressed through us and his word spoken by us. When Paul heard Stephen forgive those who were stoning him - it pricked his heart and cut him to his core. When they see us react to their hate with love - it will convict them to their core too - they may harden their hearts further but they may also soften their hearts, with God's mercy. As someone once said - don't be hurt by them - hurt for them. Or, put another way, don't let the wounds they inflict in your heart and soul cause you to wound them back.

 I affirm that the Word of God is indeed a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path!

 My heart is full of joy because I am in the center of God's will and purpose for my life. 

  The power of the Spirit overwhelms me today as the Word of God comes forth through   me in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs unto The Lord.  The Word gains root in my     heart and has the dominion over my thoughts and actions today, as I make joyful melodies of the Word in my heart unto my Lord.  I rejoice exceedingly today with joy unspeakable and full of glory, for The Lord has done great and wondrous things in my Life! Thus, my heart rejoices in His goodness,  for He has filled my mouth with His words, I am strengthened because the Joy of the Lord in my spirit is my strength.  Gloom, depression and heaviness are far from me, for I carry an atmosphere of joy with me, everywhere I go. Hallelujah! I refuse to worry about anything in this life because I am a child of God, and I know all things work together for my good. No negative thought, comment or situation can distract me from the work God has planned for me to do! I am a daily, living testimony of God's grace - I am living to fulfil  my destiny in God. Blessed be the name of the Lord  - Yeshua! Hallelujah! Amen. 

 Oh Holy Bridegroom!

 Come and take us soon!

 Lest we swoon

 Oh Holy Bridegroom!

Do not leave us be

 Come quickly 

 Catch us up to You

Oh Holy Bridegroom 

For we are the Bride

 given by our Father

Take us deep inside 

 the inner chambers

 of Your heart

Cause us to fly

 farther and farther 

 Till we're like the dove

 that never returned

 to the Ark

Oh Holy Bridegroom 

 come and take me soon

Come and sweep me off my feet

 that i may arise complete 

 There's a drop of Jesus' blood 

 for every memory that haunts your heart.

 The pain they bring,

 the suffering, 

 is shared by the One

 who sees everything. 

 Your sins break His heart,

 but they don't cause Him to depart.

 He is not ashamed 

 of the sins that still remain, 

 no, He's greatly desiring to set you free

 of those awful memories 

 that He's forgotten,  oh soul so lovely. 

 Out of His love He gave His blood,

 so let's be clear -

 your soul is so dear,

 your soul is precious  -

 to you He'll draw near

 if you'll only let Him

 If you'll desire Him to

 He'll never leave or forsake you.

 Just today, a local beauty caught my eye, 

as she swayed in a cool breeze under an azure sky.

I stopped to stare as I said "I hope you don't mind"

"but I'm really enjoying your shape - every curve, every line,

 and your fragrance is wonderfully lovely!"

Yes, the flowers in Korea are something to see!

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