Four-year-old Angelo wakes up and discovers that his new beagle puppy has chewed up his plastic guitar. The little fellow has a fit of grief. Mom’s nerves tighten. She snaps at husband Tony as he leaves for the office.
Still feeling the unhappy send-off, Tony greets his secretary with some cold and unreasonable instructions. She picks up the mood, and at coffee break tells off a fellow secretary. At closing time the second secretary tells her boss she’s ready to quit.
An hour-and-a-half later, after fighting heavy traffic, the boss walks into his house and blurts out an angry word to little Nelson, who had left his bike in the driveway. Nelson runs to his room, slams the door, and kicks his Scottish terrier.
Where does it all end? Each person may think he or she had reason to be upset. But what was needed in this imaginary situation was one person who would absorb unjust treatment without lashing out.
This is when Christians have a unique opportunity. By knowing the Father’s will, by heeding the Son’s example, and by relying on the Spirit’s help, we can endure bad treatment and show others a better way. In chain reactions of frustrations and anger, we can be where it all ends. – Martin R. De Haan
It was a hasty, thoughtless word,
Sarcastic and unkind,
That chilled the day and dimmed its light
And left a sting behind. – Anon.
Read: 1 Peter 2:18-25
When you’re wronged, don’t do what comes naturally; do what comes supernaturally.
The Bible in one year:
• Judges 7-8
• Luke 5:1-16