From heaven to hell in 10 seconds or less

Sometimes life is like this, particularly in relationships.

We can be at peace and enjoying the moment and then, in 10 seconds or less, some word or action by us rubs another the wrong way and the result is disaster.

Heavenly bliss turns into hell fire, without warning.

Are we spiritual enough to turn the other cheek Matthew 5:39 and NOT return evil for evil or insult for insult but reply with a blessing? 1 Peter 3:9

As someone has said, "Anyone can be spiritual when they're alone."

It's the daily life interactions with others that can prove how spiritual we are.

How do we react when sometimes the hell fire turns into fiery arrows of attack, where not only the current mistake is magnified, but past failures, sins, and mistakes are rehearsed so that we feel awful to an extreme?

No error was forgotten but is now thrown in our faces to convince us of our worthless and useless state.

Maybe you've never had this experience.

Maybe you never will, which would be wonderful.

But if it does occur, here are some suggestions to prepare you for that evil day.

We could apologize for the shortcomings we showed that were mentioned.

We did care that we caused hurt and we are again sorry for these.

The Bible says that the shield of faith can quench all of the fiery darts of the devil. Ephesians 6:16

What about the other elements of the whole armor of God? Could they protect us, too? Ephesians 6:10-11, 13

We're under assault for a current error in word or action.

Spiritually, we listen intently to our attacker before we say anything because we're swift to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger. James 1:19-20

As we hear them and their hurtful words, we silently activate the shield of faith that works by love Galatians 5:6 because we DO love this person.

Faith says, "Even though you're being verbally abused, you are loved by the One Who sees and hears everything that's happening. So, you are NOT the bad person that's being described. You are a child of God the Father." John 3:16-17; Ephesians 5:1; Hebrews 4:13

These are truths that you have as a belt of truth. Ephesians 6:14

You also have on the breastplate of righteousness. Ephesians 6:14

You have the righteousness of God the Father through the Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 3:21-26; 2 Corinthians 5:21

If you've been born again through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, John 1:12-13; 3:3-7; Romans 5:1-2 He has saved you from your sins, Matthew 1:21 and washed you and me from them in His shed blood. Matthew 26:27-28; Revelation 1:5

So, in the middle of being put down, you have on the helmet of salvation, which these negative words can't remove. Ephesians 6:17

Your feet Ephesians 6:15 don't run from this battle, they have on the beautiful shoes of the gospel of peace Romans 10:15 and the fruits of righteousness are planted by you to make peace. Philippians 1:11; James 3:18

In addition to saying that you're sorry for the past and the present misteps and misspeakings, the sword of the Holy Spirit, which is the word of God, Ephesians 6:17 could be used with gentleness and respect. 1 Peter 3:15

"Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Matthew 5:4 I know I hurt you. Please accept the Lord's comfort and mine. I'm sorry."

"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called the children of God. Matthew 5:9 Let's make peace, okay?"

Your thoughts?

R. Jason