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Inspirational Article
From
Joanne Lowe
Index of Writings by Joanne Lowe on Gospel Web
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Inspirational Article
From
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For years I watched wrestling and boxing on television. I would pick the person I wanted to win and every time the opponent was knocked down or got hurt I would cheer. Many years ago when I lived in Texas, I went to a wrestling match with my Dad. I didn’t like one of the wrestlers and I started yelling at him and booing him. All of a sudden, he acted like he was going to come down into the audience and grab me. It really frightened me. My Dad took hold of my arm and told me to “Shut up”.
I wanted the wrestler or boxer that I didn’t like to get hurt so that the wrestler or boxer that I liked would win. My heart was so filled with bitterness, resentment and hatred that I wanted them to get hurt. I pretended when the boxer or wrestler got hurt that it was me beating and hurting the people who had hurt me. I was so selfish, always thinking about myself and I didn’t like anybody and didn’t want to be around people. I didn’t trust anyone and thought everyone was out to get me.
Thank God that on August 14, 1980, the greatest day of my life, Jesus reached down His nail scarred hand and lifted me up out of all the garbage and filth of my life. He graciously forgave all of my sins and washed me and cleansed me in His atoning blood. If it were not for His understanding, mercy, grace and His amazing and unconditional love, I would literally be dead today because there is no doubt in my mind that I would have committed suicide.
There is no one like Jesus! No one loves us like Jesus loves us. Our families, our loved ones and our friends love us but nobody can love us the way that He loves us. He is a friend beyond compare. Not only is He our Redeemer and Saviour, He is our faithful companion. He never leaves us and He is with us whether we are in the valleys of despair and discouragement or whether we are on the mountaintops of joy and happiness. When we stumble and fall, He is there to pick us up and kiss away the hurt just like a mother does to a little child.
He came to me when I couldn’t go to Him. He put His compassionate arms around me and sat me on His lap of mercy, forgiveness, grace, tenderness and kindness. He told me something that I had never heard anyone say to me. He said “Joanne, I love you and I will protect you from all harm. You can trust Me because I proved My love for you when I died on the cross”.
Since Jesus came into my heart and changed it on that glorious day, I have never watched another wrestling or boxing match. Now when I see somebody hurt or hear about someone getting hurt, my heart breaks. O what a difference since Jesus changed my heart! How about your heart today? Do you cheer when someone gets hurt? If so, allow Jesus to change your hardened heart into a loving and tender heart that is filled with compassion. You can’t change yourself because only Jesus can change a person’s heart and life. Put your heart into the hands of Jesus today.