“Be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful.”

If we want to thrive and not just survive in ministry, we must understand what being merciful to those who mistreat us is and what it is not.

Being merciful is relinquishing your right to retaliation or revenge.

Being merciful is not being silent when sin is sin.

Being merciful is being kind when communicating the correction of that sin.

Being merciful is not being a doormat and enabling that sin.

Being merciful is being kind to the unthankful and the evil.

Being merciful is not being manipulated by the unthankful and the evil.

Being merciful is the active portion of being meek (not being touchy or retaliatory).

Being merciful is not being touchy or retaliatory but actively being kind to your enemies—especially to enemies as the result of doing the right thing in ministry. 

“But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil. Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful.“ –Luke 6:35-36