Slap Rehab

I saw this video today. 

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ninOz5ValUM

If you're too restless to watch a four-minute video, it is clips of total strangers slapping each other in the face. 

I am a recovering face slapper.

I don't think I've physically hit many people. There was one girl in high school (deserved it) amd one other person (didn't deserve it). But I have emotionally slapped many, many wonderful people in the face over the years....and we've all slapped Jesus. 

Isn't that truly a horrific thought to realize we've emotionally belted the savior of mankind? But you have. So have I. We all have sin, and it sucks. 

I love the video because that's how my heart worked for a very long time: 

1) meet someone 

2) hurt them before they could hurt me

3) become friends, laugh, sometimes eventually trust 

4) never see them again

I have a lot in common with the strangers in this video. 

Sunday was the final time I allowed myself to act as an emotional face slapper. I am now officially enjoying retirement. 

When I slap people, I slap Jesus. When I go into self-serving survival mode, I shut out Jesus. And I can't afford to do that anymore. 

Maybe you agree with the below statements: 

I've been hurt.

I've been abused. 

I've been abandoned.

I've been gossiped about.

I've been afraid.

I've been shamed. 

I've been lied to. 

Maybe you don't yet know that: 

Christ was hurt.

Christ was abused.

Christ was abandoned.

Christ was gossiped about. 

God's heart broke when you were afraid.

God ached when you felt ashamed. 

God cannot tell a lie. 

I know for certain that: 

He has built me up again. I do not have to be afraid. 

He has given me peace, although sometimes I lose track of it, it is never truly snatched away. 

He has restored me. 

He has made safe places. 

He has caused me to trust again without my even realizing it. 

He transforms. 

He is patient. He is kind. He is a God of second chances (and 2nd, 3rd, 4th....) 

I don't need to emotionally slap people in my life. Sure, there have been plenty of predators, but I don't need to always assume I will be the prey. 

Viewing the world through our hearts shouldn't be an "eat or be eaten" situation. 

God can let our guard down. God can rebuild what has been broken. 

There's no need to hit out once you realize that with Jesus, you can always lean in.