Biting when Bitten

Isn't it an interesting phenomenon that when someone (or something) is hurting, their first instinct is to lash out at anyone nearby?  When I read this verse I didn't think of a rabbit in a snare, but something vicious.  After I try to help someone who is hurting and they lash out, my inclination is to throw my hands up and say, "Well, I tried.  It's on them now."  Their bad attitude absolves me of further involvement.

I'm convicted by how patient God is with us, and how Christ freed us from the snare of the devil at the cost of his own life.  What a gift!  As we snapped, clawed and tore at him, he let us free from the trap.  Not content with freeing us, he bound our wounds and healed our injuries.

With an understanding of Christ's example, it is more difficult to cut my losses and walk away from a snapping brother.  It brings to mind Matthew 18:

'So the servant fell on his knees, imploring him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.’ And out of pity for him, the master of that servant released him and forgave him the debt. But when that same servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii, and seizing him, he began to choke him, saying, ‘Pay what you owe.’ So his fellow servant fell down and pleaded with him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you.’ He refused and went and put him in prison until he should pay the debt. When his fellow servants saw what had taken place, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their master all that had taken place. Then his master summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. And should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?’ And in anger his master delivered him to the jailers, until he should pay all his debt. So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart.”'
Matthew 18:26-35

 God, please forgive me of my tendency to hold on to grudges.  Help me to forgive others in light of your example.  Please continue to bring godly friends into my life who can correct me with gentleness when I am snared by the devil.  Amen.

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