Choose a Legacy of Blessing
Continually inhaling the hot air of hatred can be fatal.
Your soul was not designed to run hot. If you persist in breathing out fire, you’ll experience chronic heartburn, and the risk of internal combustion is sure to follow.
If bitterness has invaded your atmosphere, the remedy is to apply grace liberally.
- We must choose to bless, not curse.
- We must speak life, not scream selfishly.
- We must pray for peace, rather than vomit vitriol.
This world will tell you to push and shove and demand your way. He who screams loudest does not win. Sadly, you just end up hyperventilating.
We can choose differently. We can pour out a blessing and put cursing to rest.
4 Ways to Leave a Legacy of Blessing
- Fight only on your knees. Choose a life-giving Scripture to pray over your foe.
- “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace” (Numbers 6:24-26).
- “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace” (Numbers 6:24-26).
- Focus on the cross. Never forget you are a sinner set free by God’s amazing grace. Ask God to help you view difficult people with His eyes.
- “For God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered for you. He is your example, and you must follow in his steps. He never sinned, nor ever deceived anyone. He did not retaliate when he was insulted, nor threaten revenge when he suffered. He left his case in the hands of God, who always judges fairly. He personally carried our sins in his body on the cross so that we can be dead to sin and live for what is right. By his wounds you are healed” (I Peter 2:21-24).
- “For God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered for you. He is your example, and you must follow in his steps. He never sinned, nor ever deceived anyone. He did not retaliate when he was insulted, nor threaten revenge when he suffered. He left his case in the hands of God, who always judges fairly. He personally carried our sins in his body on the cross so that we can be dead to sin and live for what is right. By his wounds you are healed” (I Peter 2:21-24).
- Flee from Bitterness. Forgive offenses freely and work toward unity.
- “Finally, all of you should be of one mind. Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters. Be tenderhearted, and keep a humble attitude. Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and He will grant you his blessing” (I Peter 3:8-9).
- “Finally, all of you should be of one mind. Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters. Be tenderhearted, and keep a humble attitude. Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and He will grant you his blessing” (I Peter 3:8-9).
- Fuel up your love tank. Look for ways to serve others and invite them in to redemption.
- “Love your enemies! Do good to them. Lend to them without expecting to be repaid. Then your reward from heaven will be very great, and you will truly be acting as children of the Most High, for he is kind to those who are unthankful and wicked. You must be compassionate, just as your Father is compassionate” (Luke 6:35-36).
- “Love your enemies! Do good to them. Lend to them without expecting to be repaid. Then your reward from heaven will be very great, and you will truly be acting as children of the Most High, for he is kind to those who are unthankful and wicked. You must be compassionate, just as your Father is compassionate” (Luke 6:35-36).
Break the bonds of hate and live to be a blessing.
Breathing Exercise:
Read James 3. What character qualities do we need to cultivate in order to choose blessing over cursing? (Note v 13, 17 & 18).
Read Romans 12. What practical steps does Paul suggest for leaving a legacy of blessing?
Inhale wisdom as you listen to this inspirational song.
Breathe a prayer asking God to help you speak life over those in your circle of influence today and every day.
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I am sharing “Choose a Legacy of Blessing” and joining like-minded sisters at Faith-Filled Friday, Tell His Story, Coffee for Your Heart, and Three-Word Wednesday.
Love this! Thank you. 🙂
Only fight on your knees. Like that!
Great tips! I need to remember to do this daily.
Lyli – I am really loving your just breathe series for Write31 … I am your neighbor at #coffeeforyour heart and wow, I needed this today… just last night, my daughter looked at me and said, it’s ok mom just breathe with me, it will be ok. hahaha and then I get a chance to get caught up on making my comments and read your post – Oh it’s so good and so what I needed to hear today! thank you so much – blessings