Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t snap back at those who say unkind things about you. Instead, pray for God’s help for them, for we are to be kind to others, and God will bless us for it. If you want a happy, good life, keep control of your tongue, and guard your lips from telling lies. Turn away from evil and do good. Try to live in peace even if you must run after it to catch and hold it! For the Lord is watching his children, listening to their prayers; but the Lord’s face is hard against those who do evil. 1 Peter 3:8-12
I’m hearing people on both sides of the issues that have been dividing this nation saying they want stop the animosity. And I pray that will be the case. As I watched people crying, discouraged and some even saying they are feeling lost, I can say I understand. Because only 4 years ago, the shoe was on the other foot and that’s what we need to remember, but often forget. There are very few things we as people go through that aren’t common to our lives at some point. Although we may have a point of reference, we choose to forget what it was like when we were there.
What if we each determined in our hearts to follow what Jesus has called us to do in today’s passage? What if we started to not react to people, but respond to them. To try to look beyond the words and actions and to what is causing them. It will mean we will need to become emotionally disciplined and not be ruled by them, but to use them to achieve a peaceful outcome. It means we need to follow the example of Jesus, not our human nature, but in doing so we will receive the Lord’s blessing.
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