Crack Pots

Have you ever noticed how many people there are out there who are really hard to like, much less love? Yea, me, too. Why are there so many jerks on the loose? I think it might be because we are all jerks. In some way, or at some time we all act in ways that shame us and our Father. None are black or white; we are all painted in shades of gray. Within each of us there is a brokenness, a rough edge; when someone else happens to hit against it, the harm can range from just a scratch to major blood-letting. Of course, the worst case is when what is hard or sharp in one personality then grates against what is tender or vulnerable in another, ouch! We shouldn't be surprised when it happens, for I fear we are all "cracked pots." Yet into broken vessels God pours out his Spirit and blessings! How else could we become whole? We desperately need him to fill in the cracks. So, just as God grants us grace, we, too, must "cut a little slack" to others, remembering that it was probably a wounding that originally caused that weakness, that brokenness in another. Jerks are so often hurt souls; those who have been hurt, usually inflict hurt. Perhaps, people who are acting the worst, are those who are feeling the worst? I've heard that those who are the most unlovable are the ones who need the most loving! As a theory that sounds okay; as a practice, it sounds impossible! Hopefully, the longer we hang around with God and his people, the intensity and duration of our own attacks of jerkiness can not only be diminished, but we will have more compassion for those who have not yet experienced His healing grace and love.

Habakkuk 1.13 - We are wicked, but they are far more!

Romans 3.10 - No one is good - no one in all the world is innocent.

James 5.9 - Don't grumble about each other. Are you yourselves above criticism?

James 3.1 - Don't be too eager to tell others their faults, for we all make many mistakes.

Luke 6.36 - Try to show as much compassion as your Father does. Never criticize or condemn - or it will all come back on you. Go easy on others; then they will do the same for you.

Proverbs 15.1 - A soft answer turns away wrath, but harsh words cause quarrels.

Proverbs 19.11 - A wise man restrains his anger and overlooks insults.

Proverbs 18.19 - It is harder to win back the friendship of an offended brother than to capture a fortified city.

1 Peter 3.9 - Don't repay evil for evil. Don't snap back at those who say unkind things about you. Instead pray for God's help for them, for we are to be kind to others, and God will bless us for it.

John 15.17-18 - I demand that you love one another, for you get enough hate from the world.

Ephesians 4.2 - Be humble and gentle. Be patient with one another, making allowance for each other's faults, because of your love.

1 Peter 4.8 - Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love makes up for many of your faults.

2 Corinthians 6.3 - We try to act in a way that no one will ever be offended or kept back from finding the Lord by the way we act.

Hebrews 10.24 - In response to all he has done for us, let us outdo each other in being helpful and kind to each other.

1 John 4.8 - If a person isn't loving and kind, it shows that he doesn't know God - for God is love.

Romans 5.20 - Where sin abounded, grace did much more abound.

John 1.16 - And from his fullness have we all received, grace upon grace.

2 Corinthians 12.9 - My grace is sufficient for thee, for my strength is made perfect in weakness.

Psalm 71.3 - Be to me a great protecting Rock, where I am always welcome, safe from all attacks.