I was a new Christian and I was walking on clouds in My new found faith in My Savior. Peace and Joy was flooding My soul in every way.

I was not prepared for what was coming, my first test in my new walk with the Lord. Little did I know that My Joy would be cast down in a moments time, as My heart would be crushed in pain.

As I mingled among the group of new found sisters in the Lord and greeted them that night, to my surprise I received a cruel reply.

One of Ladies I greeted snapped at me with a cruel remark. I was stunned and crushed. I had never done anything to this Lady and surely did not deserve the reply I had gotten from Her.

I sat through the meeting as My heart was crushed in pain. My joy was no where to be found and I hated the feelings I was having within.

I don't remember much about the rest of that Sunday night, but I do remember coming home and pondering within my heart, how a Christian Sister could speak so cruelly to another Sister for no reason at all.

I wanted My joy back as I took the matter to the Lord in Prayer. He assured Me that I had done nothing to deserve the treatment that I had endured, and He ask Me to Pray for the Lady.

In Matthew 5:44, He tells us to love our enemies and to pray for those who persecute us.

Well, You know how hard it is for us to Pray for those that have rob us of our Peace and Joy, but as I knelt and prayed as He commanded My Joy was restored fully!

As the Wednesday night prayer service rolled around, I had my smile back and joy within My heart once more.

Just as I entered the door the Lady that had said the cruel remarks came up to Me, and apologized for being so short and snappy with Me Sunday night. She proceeded to share how she wasn't feeling well that night, and there was things that were going on that had made Her so frustrated that night and she had took it out on me. She knew she was in the wrong and ask for My Forgiveness.

Of course I had already forgiven Her Sunday night as I knelt in Prayer, and now I could see why the Lord wanted Me to Pray and intercede for Her.

I learned a Great Lesson through my testing of cruel words spoken. I learned to not take it personally when people spoke hateful and cruel for no reason at all. I learned that it was a sign to go to the Lord in Prayer and ask Him to minister to the needs of their heart.

We never know what is happening in other peoples lives but when we see bitterness and disrespect flowing from their heart, they need Our Prayers!

Satan want's us to get bitter and hang onto the hurt that has been inflicted upon us. He want our hearts to stay void of Peace and Joy in every way!

When we Pray for those that are cruel and unjust to us, it causes our hearts to stay pure and filled with the Lord's Peace and Joy! We become better and not bitter because of the cruel words spoken to us.

I am so glad I learned that lesson over thirty years ago, and still practice it all along My way! I have seen People change through the Power of Prayer! I am thankful for my first lesson which has been a Powerful one all through My Christian Life!

May this little lesson on cruel words help You when things are said to You as well, and may Your prayers turn Your pain into someone else's gain, as You lift their needs to the Lord in Prayer!