Overcoming the Evil Within.

The other day I found myself in a situation I didn't want to be in. I had a group of friends asking me to send hate mail to someone that had wronged one of my friends. This notion made me really uncomfortable, and upon reading their comments I found myself doubting myself and my choice in friends. They say that in life our choices define us and I was scared that I had made the wrong choices, that I was one of them. When I told my friend I wouldn't she replied with 'yo bro, you're mean to people all the time.. Like actually.'

And she was right.

I can be really nasty at times, and as much as I would love to spew out excuse after excuse for my actions, I've recently learned that there is no excuse for treating people poorly. 'For we are all sinners and have all fallen short of the glory of God.' I can't justify treating someone poorly for a mistake they made, because we've all made mistakes. In God's eyes, we're all sinners, I'm no better a person because my mistakes aren't as 'bad' (in world's view) as other's. If there wasn't forgiveness in the world, we would be our own self destruction, a world fuelled by hate and jealousy. I don't want to be someone that contributes to that world.

So I decided to do something about it.

One act of kindness can change someone's day. And that day, can change someone's life.

So there I was, at 10:00 at night. Half asleep and full of inner conflict. I opened up my Facebook account and went to my friends list. I started at the top and made my way down. Each name, I clicked and wrote a message too, a short blurb, just saying what I loved about that person. Even if I hadn't spoken to them in years, or if we just barley knew each other, I did it to person after person, and with each message I found that inner conflict slowly diminishing. I felt better and better with each message, because while I do get frustrated with people, I don't want to let that stop me from loving them.

Then I hit one of the 'friends' that asked me to send the hate mail. I thought for a second, 'I don't want to do theirs, they don't deserve one after being such a bully. God spoke to me, just as I finished that thought.

'Arn't you doing what they did? Withholding love because of their actions. I have called you to be someone that loves everyone.' Then he brought me to Romans 12:17-19 'Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay" says the Lord.' Then I looked at the Romans 12:21. A line that I hold very near to my heart and one that I've been trying to live by. 'Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.'

There was my mistake. So as soon as I read that I thought about everything that I did still love about those people. And I told them.

I managed to do 50 people. 50 people, and I had multiple people message me saying things along the lines of 'wow, I really needed that spot of encouragement! Thanks! You made my whole day!' Over the next couple days, I hope to finish off my 200+ friends list. because I do truly love something about each one of them.

So I leave you with this. The best way to overcome the Devil inside is to work for God. Spread his love, and the Devil won't be able to touch you.

God Bless.
Victoria.