~ * ERASE Old Tapes ! ~

SHE was a really close friend, an older woman whom I greatly admired and respected, yet her words hurt me deeply. To make this trip to visit her and her family, I had ridden in the back seat of our car, cringing as every jolt sent pain to my injured neck.

As we traveled homeward, my pain was emotional as well as physical. The "tapes" of my mind kept repeating her words, "My, you've gotten fat !" Lord, how can I get victory ? I prayed.

"Pray for her," the Lord seemed to say. And pray I did. Waking in the night with neck pain and heartache I prayed, "Lord, restore our relationship. Let it please You again." Each time the "tape" replayed, I short-circuited it by praying for her. In time the heartache was gone, replaced by God's peace.

A few months later my older friend wrote to me about a severed relationship with one of her close friends. "How could she say those things about me ? How can I get victory again ?" she wrote. I shared what the Lord had taught me through my own problem, never revealing, however, that my problem had been with her.

Later she wrote, "I hope your friend and you have as good a relationship now as my friend and I do. Your suggestion works !"

Are you plagued by mental "tapes" that replay hurtful words ? Pray for the one who hurt you. Ask the Lord to bless that one. He can turn bitterness to peace and restore relationships.

S. KENDALL

"Bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you (LUKE 6:28)."