“Blessed are the merciful for they will be shown mercy” (Matthew 5:7 NIV).

This passage reminds me of the lesson on forgiveness and mercy that I learned a few years back when dealing with my teenager daughter. When I was forced to deal with an issue with her, it rocked my religious world. And I didn’t understand why her choices would upset me so much.

Secrets. Even though I was disturbed at how my daughter’s situation would affect her future, I realized that my biggest struggle with the whole situation was how her choices affected me. And the situation brought back some old memories about my own past mistakes. Suddenly, instead of helping my daughter through a crisis, I was forced to deal with my own regrets and shame over past mistakes. And as I dealt with my own secrets, I realized that my daughter also needed mercy from me, not judgment or condemnation. 

Snakes and hornets. Secret “sins” can torment us our whole lives. Just when we think we’ve put them behind us, some unexpected crisis causes them to raise their heads like vicious vipers, strike, and inject their poison into every aspect of our lives. Maybe my analogy sounds a little harsh, but I had no idea how far into a pit my secrets could take me. Plus, I never realized how much my own mistakes could affect others—especially my own daughter. Just dealing with what I thought was an immature decision of a teenage girl, turned into one of the biggest hornets’ nests of my life. And it took supernatural intervention to guide our family out of that storm.

Scripture promises. Now, I thank the Lord for his forgiveness and mercy. Not only did He heal and protect us from the judgment of others that was meant to destroy us individually and as a family, He worked out the whole situation for our good (Romans 8:28).

James 2:12-13 says, “Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment!" (NIV)

If we don’t give mercy to others, we won’t receive it, when we need it. In fact, Luke 6:38 states, “Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”

You need a little mercy? You might want to remember to give some away to others who need it, too.

Writing prompt:

1. Have you ever received mercy as a result of giving it to someone else?

2. How did you connect with this post on mercy? What personal experience came to mind?