“When the dove returned to him in the evening, there in its beak was a freshly plucked olive leaf! Then Noah knew that the water had receded from the earth.”—Genesis 8:11

In February, I started a one-year Bible reading plan called The Bible Recap. I love God’s perfect timing on when I started it. On the day that I read Genesis 8:11, I was struggling with the condition of my heart. I wasn’t happy about a situation and as a result was trying to justify my feelings and actions.

However, on my way home from church, God reminded me of the scripture I had read that morning about the bird bringing back the olive leaf to Noah. God was convicting me to extend an olive branch to the person that had hurt my feelings. 

I knew I had two choices. I could either be prideful leaving me vulnerable to let the enemy take hold of the situation or I could surrender in obedience and do what was right. No good can come from me allowing pride to control my actions. The reality was, the offense was in my mind. The other person was unaware of my feelings. I had to release it to God and not pick it back up by replaying it in my head over and over again. 

Not surrendering to what God’s Word revealed to me that day would have only led to brokenness not restoration in that relationship. Cherishing anger leads to cynicism and bitterness. Being loving, kind and peaceful are how I can be more like Jesus. When I am filled with these attributes, Christ flows through me to others. He can do the same with you too.

People are going to offend us. It is a matter of how we choose to respond to it. Staying in God’s Word helps me to redirect my initial feelings that aren’t very Christ-like. Ephesians 4:26, “If you become angry, do not let your anger lead you into sin, and do not stay angry all day,”(GNT) is a scripture that helps ground me in those situations. Is there a relationship in your life that might be restored if you extend an olive branch? If so, what would happen if you made an attempt to reconcile with that person?

Dear Lord, 

Help me to have more of You and less of me. Show me how and where I can reflect Your glory in how I respond to others this week. Thank You for Your Word that convicts me when my heart is not honoring You. I pray for those that are hurt by someone’s words or actions to let go of any anger or bitterness that they may have towards that person. If it is Your will for reconciliation, soften their hearts to extend an olive branch. It is in the name of Jesus that I pray these things. Amen. 

August Memory Verse

Will you join me this month and next in memorizing Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.  In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. (ESV) We are living in a time when things don’t make sense. Now more than ever I need to be trusting God and seeking Him for direction in all I do.

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