people fail us, hurt us, disappoint us, crush our hearts, turn cold, spit at us, keep us trembling in the dark. that’s a fact. Jesus knew that fact. his friends are a classic example. one friend decided to dump him. the other one denied him, thrice. the rest plainly disappeared. he knew about betrayal, hurt, and pain–he experienced it firsthand.

Jesus could have struck them dead or exacted gruesome means of revenge, but he decided to love them anyway. he forgave them, kept no tabs at them, didn’t make chismis abt them. he trusted them enough that in spite of their boo-boos, they were given the power to change the world. and that they did.

yes, people will always hurt us, offend us, disappoint us, etc etc, whether they mean to or not. are we willing to move on, and forgive 490 times?

that’s a fact, and a decision that we all have to make.

Psalm 31: 7 NLT :: I will be glad and rejoice in your unfailing love, for you have seen my troubles, and you care about the anguish of my soul.

Psalm 8: 4 NIV :: What is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him?

1 Peter 5: 7 :: Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

God cares for you. God cares for me. God cares for all the people in this world. He loves you, he fashioned you to be the rock & roll creation that you are, and he knows you inside and out.

He knows the plans he’s got for you: prosperity, security, protection, hope, and a future. He’ll never leave you nor forsake you. Isn’t it amazing what kind of God we have?