More Mercy, More Like Jesus
By Rick Warren

“Love is . . . never haughty or selfish or rude. Love does not demand its own way. It is not irritable or touchy. It does not hold grudges.” 1 Corinthians 13:4-5 (TLB)

One of the best things you can do for your family is to show them mercy. Mercy is love in action. So when you overlook irritations and choose to be kind to your family—even when they don’t deserve it—you’re being merciful.

Another important way you can show mercy in your home is to let go of past hurts.

Do you keep a mental record every time someone in your family does something wrong?

Are you quick to remind someone of how they have hurt you? The Bible says that real love doesn’t store up hurts and offenses to be used later for revenge. When you hold on to a hurt like that, you are not being loving.

The Bible says, “Love is . . . never haughty or selfish or rude. Love does not demand its own way. It is not irritable or touchy. It does not hold grudges” (1 Corinthians 13:4-5 TLB).

Notice how “rude” and “does not hold grudges” are in the same verse. That’s the reason people are rude: They’re reacting to a past hurt they’ve been holding on to and then taking it out on others. And when they react to a past hurt, they can’t relate to the present. 

Leviticus 19:18 says, “Do not take revenge on others or continue to hate them, but love your neighbors as you love yourself” (GNT). 

Are past grudges holding you hostage today? Don’t hold grudges over your spouse’s or children’s heads. And don’t tell other people about your grudges, either. That’s gossip! Instead, just let it go.

Sometimes it’s hardest to show mercy to the people who are closest to you. But when you can let it go and be merciful, you are learning to be more like Jesus.

PLAY today’s audio teaching from Pastor Rick

For more Daily Hope with Rick Warren, please visit pastorrick.com!

Encourage a Graduate in Your Life

Graduation time is here, and chances are there’s a young person in your life who could use some encouragement, along with a little guidance.

Set them up for success with Pastor Rick’s The Purpose Driven Life: Selected Thoughts and Scriptures for the Graduate.

Filled with inspirational Scripture, biblical wisdom from Pastor Rick, and beautiful imagery, this unique, hardcover gift book provides a priceless reminder of the bountiful life God has planned for your graduate—and it will empower them to seek his unique plan and purpose for their life.

We’d love to send you a copy of this special resource as thanks for your gift today to help Daily Hope take the transforming power of Jesus into more lives around the world.

So request your copy below—and set a young graduate on the path to all God has for their life!

*The USA IRS code permits you to deduct the amount of your financial gift to Daily Hope that exceeds the fair market value of materials you received from Daily Hope.

This devotional © 2018 by Rick Warren. All rights reserved. Used by permission.

You can listen to Rick Warren on OnePlace.com.