Scripture: “But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other also.” — Matthew 5:39

Being wronged isn’t easy. When someone hurts or takes from us, our natural reaction is to want justice, or even revenge. I’ve always found Jesus’ command to “turn the other cheek” one of the hardest to live out.

That truth was tested recently when I was mugged. The man stole my brand-new iPhone, something I had saved up for a long time. Shock, anger, and frustration flooded in. As I sat with it, God gently reminded me of Matthew 5:39 and challenged me to forgive my mugger.

At first, I resisted. “Forgive him? Are you kidding me, Lord?” But as God ministered to my heart, the anger began to fade, replaced by compassion. I found myself praying for the man, asking that he would find salvation and restoration through this encounter.

In surrendering my right to revenge, I felt a peace that only Jesus can give. I was reminded that God is sovereign, and He will vindicate us in His own perfect way.

And as a beautiful reminder of His goodness, He even provided me with an even better iPhone, completely free!

What the enemy meant for harm, God turned for good. (Genesis 50:20)

When we choose forgiveness over retaliation, we make room for God to work miracles in our hearts and our circumstances.

Lord Jesus, thank You for teaching me that forgiveness isn’t weakness, it’s trust. Help me to let go of my right to get even and instead rest in Your justice and peace. Amen.

Church in Caerphilly. Caerphilly Church.

God is a God who sees you completely. He knows how you feel, every thought, every intention of the heart and he collects all your tears.

He told me recently 'I see you Ann' which brought me much comfort during a time of hardship and testing. He also told me to 'keep going', persevere and not give up.

In Genesis 16 we see, in verse 13, that Hagar “…gave this name to the LORD who spoke to her, ‘You are the God who sees me’, for she said, ‘I have now seen the One who sees me.'” El Roi - the God who sees.

No one can know fully how someone else is feeling, or what they have experienced or fully walk in their shoes. They may not understand or see how much you try but God does. He knows, he sees it all and he understands.

My encouragement to you this week is if your going through a time of testing, stretching or hardship go to the God who sees you and understands you completely. He is the greatest comforter and he is the God of the breakthrough.

Thank you God that you see and help us.

Psalm 32:8 “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.”

Church in Caerphilly. Caerphilly Church.

Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,

for his compassions never fail.

23 They are new every morning;

great is your faithfulness. (Lamentations 3:22–23 NIV)

Some yesterdays leave us smiling, while others leave us scarred. But the beauty of Lamentations 3:22–23 is this; no matter what yesterday held, God’s compassion is brand new today.

This isn’t just poetic, it’s a promise. God doesn’t recycle mercy, He doesn’t ration His grace. Each morning, He pours out fresh compassion tailored for today’s challenges, today’s needs, today’s heartaches.

Why does this matter?

- Our past’s don’t disqualify us. Whether yesterday was filled with regret or triumph, God isn’t stuck there. He’s here, in our now (Isaiah 41:10).

- We are not defined by our worst days. God’s love is greater than our failures (2 Corinthians 12:9). His faithfulness outlasts our mistakes.

- We are not alone in our best day either. Even when things go well, it’s His mercies that sustains us (Psalm 23:6).

God is the God of today. He doesn’t ask you to relive yesterday or worry about tomorrow. He invites you to walk with Him today. His compassion is new, not recycled, not leftover. New. That means He’s actively thinking of you, caring for you, and equipping you for this very moment.

So take a deep breath. Let go of yesterday’s weight. Step into today with confidence, not in yourself, but in the One whose love never fails and whose mercies are always fresh.

Church in Caerphilly. Caerphilly Church.

What I love so much about my experience of God is his faithfulness and his way of using all the challenges of life to do something good. I remain convinced God is Good and bad stuff doesn’t come from him; (there are other sources at play in our world) because he promises in Romans 8:28 “He works ALL things for the Good of those who love Him”

We are often focused on the outcome, but he does his best work in the process and we often need to remind ourselves of that.

In Malachi 3:3 it states “He sits as a smelter and refiner of silver” This is often how he works with us in the heat of a situation.

I have recently come through several challenges and thinking I had a respite, another situation raised its head and I felt like I was back in the fire.

Having read that verse “He sits as a smelter and refiner of silver” I researched how a smelter refines silver… and yes it’s very hot; nearly 1000 degrees C, but it’s the care and attention the smelter gives that reassures.

Firstly he sits and watches with his full attention. He holds it in exactly the right position for exactly the right time. He watches over it until all the impurities are removed.

If he’s not satisfied with the result, it goes back in the fire.

He also knows if it stays in too long it will damage the silver, so will never leave it in the flame beyond what is safe.

Before modern technology, how did he know it was pure? He would get close to see his own image perfectly reflected!

So when I felt …oh no not again….I’m back in the fire… I reassured my heart that the one who holds me sits closely in the heat and watches over me with care, commitment and purpose… in fact I ended up having a little chuckle …I knew what was really going on… more refining!!

But I’m in safe hands.

He’s the same God of whom the psalmist said in

Psalm 66:12

we went through fire and water,

but you brought us to a place of abundance.

If you love God and His Christ, be reassured He’s working all things to His purpose and your good!

Church in Caerphilly. Caerphilly Church.