Monkeys & apes are one of the most popular exhibits at many zoos. Monkeys are proof that God loves variety. Monkeys come in all sizes, from extra-small to extra-large.
Sometimes, a monkey’s curiosity can get it into trouble. In Africa, when a person wants to catch a monkey alive, a small box is built. A banana is placed in the box and the box is completely sealed. Then a small hole is cut in one side of the box, just big enough for a monkey’s hand. When a monkey reaches through the hole and takes hold of the banana, he is trapped. Since the banana in the monkey’s closed fist won’t fit through the hole and the monkey will foolishly refuse to drop the banana, he is trapped and easily caught.
Sometimes we make monkeys of ourselves. When another person teases us or mocks our faith, we grab onto our hurt feelings and refuse to let them go. We become trapped by hurt, heartache, sadness, disappointment, and bitterness. If only we’d choose to drop those bad feelings by forgiving the person who trapped us with his or her words, we would be free!
Paul is a wonderful example of how we should react to the people who cause us hurt, heartache, and pain. Today’s Bible reading Paul describes many of the things he suffered ending in 2 Corinthians 12:10 with these words: “That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
Are you holding on to hurt feelings? Learn from the monkey’s mistake. Let go of them. Forgive the person who hurt you and let God free you from hurt and bitterness. Delight in the opportunity to allow God’s strength show through your weakness. As you do, you will become a stronger Christian.
Other related helpful Bible verses:
“Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “‘It is mine to avenge; I will repay,’ says the Lord. On the contrary: ‘If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.’” Romans 12:19-20
“Are they servants of Christ? (I [Paul] am out of my mind to talk like this.) I am more. I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again. Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my own countrymen, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false brothers. I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked. Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches. Who is weak, and I do not feel weak? Who is led into sin, and I do not inwardly burn?
If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness. The God and Father of the Lord Jesus, who is to be praised forever, knows that I am not lying. In Damascus the governor under King Aretas had the city of the Damascenes guarded in order to arrest me. But I was lowered in a basket from a window in the wall and slipped through his hands.
I must go on boasting. Although there is nothing to be gained, I will go on to visions and revelations from the Lord. I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven. Whether it was in the body or out of the body I do not know—God knows. And I know that this man – whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, but God knows – was caught up to paradise. He heard inexpressible things, things that man is not permitted to tell. I will boast about a man like that, but I will not boast about myself, except about my weaknesses. Even if I should choose to boast, I would not be a fool, because I would be speaking the truth. But I refrain, so no one will think more of me than is warranted by what I do or say.
To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” 2 Corinthians 11:23 – 12:10