FEEDING FRENZY

People who study sharks tell us that they are most likely to attack when they sense blood in the water. The blood acts as a trigger to their feeding mechanism and they attack, often in a group, creating a deadly feeding frenzy. Blood in the water shows their target is weak and open to attack.

Sadly, this is sometimes how people in the church react to those who are hurting around them. Instead of being a community where people are loved, cared for and looked after, it can become a dangerous environment where predators are looking for the ‘blood in the water’ of someone’s
failings or mistakes. Then the feeding frenzy begins.

Instead of kicking people when they are down, we should be offering the encouragement of Jesus by helping those who are struggling. Of course, we’re not to overlook selfish behaviour, but God calls us to show mercy. He said, “Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy” (MATTHEW 5:7).

Mercy has been described as not getting what we deserve, and we all deserve God’s judgement. The same God who shows us mercy in Jesus, calls us to show mercy to one another.

So when we see ‘blood in the water’, let’s see what we can do to help. The day may come when we will want someone to show mercy to us!

To pray about . . .

God, help us to be merciful to the people we meet who are struggling today. We remember that You are full of mercy and love to us.

WE CAN STOP SHOWING MERCY TO OTHERS
WHEN JESUS STOPS SHOWING MERCY TO US.

YouTh Edition – Our Daily Bread Ministries