“Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and he will bless you for it.”
this reminds me of a practitioner I knew many years ago who was rudely and egressively yelled at when she drove into a parking spot the man had his eye on…she got out of her car after parking as he walked over to her, still being aggressive. When he got to her and said his bit, she calmly and lovingly said “And God bless you dear”. The man burst into tears ! I guess that was just what he needed even though he sure didnt look like it at first!
This reminds me of a neighbor I used to have, Diane and had to chuckle when I read it… He and his sons were less than neighborly and we had just had a rather heated “discussion” about his sons throwing rocks on to my property. I had asked them nicely not to do it and he came running over saying his sons can do no wrong. When he was walking away in a huff, I couldn’t help but say, “And God Loves You, Too!” And I really felt it. I was shocked I said it, but it seemed the appropriate thing to say! : )
I was recently almost run off the road by an out of control driver, who after having. missed me by an inch (thank you God) yelled out his window at me some less than lovely words. My first reaction was one of gratitude that I had been unharmed, and then….honestly, my heart went out to this young man, And I prayed all the way home. Bless them that curse you, Jesus tells us (Matthew 5). Bless him, Father, I prayed. Keep him safe. Let him know your Love. I have thought of him now and then and when I do, a sense of peace is what I feel. Learning to not react to incidences of being cursed, by words or by false beliefs (aging, limitation, fear, etc) is becoming more my norm and for that I am beyond grateful. Thank you, Evan, for reminding me of this.
Great reminder as I was grumbling about my neighbors and their seemingly lack of respect with their lights. And their letter pointing out my faults of watering while repeated praise of themselves. “God bless them!” We are all children of God.
I was holding onto some unkind words spoken, and one time yelled across the church auditorium before the Sunday service, by a member who seemed to express such hatred and dislike towards me. I honestly tried to forgive, but the resentment was still there. One day as I was driving down a hill, it came to me so clearly that if I want to be a follower of Christ Jesus I must do as he did. He had many worse things said and done to him than I, and yet he said on the cross, “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.” I felt a great sense of release in my thought. I knew then, and know now, that I love her as the child of God she really is even though her actions haven’t changed. What a comfort!
Thank you for the reminder. Lately I have been moved and bothered by behavior and words of others. To lose my peace over this and give it any power is just poison. As we increase our understanding we naturally increase the harmony and peace in our lives. The moments of anger and unrest become so unbearable. When I am moved by this behavior I have to ask myself what is it in me that reacts to this. What idea am I harboring? It is the belief that there is some other power than God. Thank God there isn’t.
Nelson Mandela — ‘Resentment is like drinking poison and then hoping it will kill your enemies.’
Thank you all. This is something I need to make a habit not to engage in every second of every day.
this reminds me of a practitioner I knew many years ago who was rudely and egressively yelled at when she drove into a parking spot the man had his eye on…she got out of her car after parking as he walked over to her, still being aggressive. When he got to her and said his bit, she calmly and lovingly said “And God bless you dear”. The man burst into tears ! I guess that was just what he needed even though he sure didnt look like it at first!
I meant Aggressively..sorry typo…and the man apologised too BTW!
This reminds me of a neighbor I used to have, Diane and had to chuckle when I read it… He and his sons were less than neighborly and we had just had a rather heated “discussion” about his sons throwing rocks on to my property. I had asked them nicely not to do it and he came running over saying his sons can do no wrong. When he was walking away in a huff, I couldn’t help but say, “And God Loves You, Too!” And I really felt it. I was shocked I said it, but it seemed the appropriate thing to say! : )
This reminds me the poem of Kipling “IF”
I was recently almost run off the road by an out of control driver, who after having. missed me by an inch (thank you God) yelled out his window at me some less than lovely words. My first reaction was one of gratitude that I had been unharmed, and then….honestly, my heart went out to this young man, And I prayed all the way home. Bless them that curse you, Jesus tells us (Matthew 5). Bless him, Father, I prayed. Keep him safe. Let him know your Love. I have thought of him now and then and when I do, a sense of peace is what I feel. Learning to not react to incidences of being cursed, by words or by false beliefs (aging, limitation, fear, etc) is becoming more my norm and for that I am beyond grateful. Thank you, Evan, for reminding me of this.
Thank you. So good and needed.
This reminds me of a local church sign I saw/ read recently…”Be kind to rude people, they need a good mentor.” 🙂
Thank you!!
“I Love You, I Bless You, and I Release You to Your Own Indwelling Presence of God…..”
Ty for the reminder. Most grateful to all.
Great reminder as I was grumbling about my neighbors and their seemingly lack of respect with their lights. And their letter pointing out my faults of watering while repeated praise of themselves. “God bless them!” We are all children of God.
I was holding onto some unkind words spoken, and one time yelled across the church auditorium before the Sunday service, by a member who seemed to express such hatred and dislike towards me. I honestly tried to forgive, but the resentment was still there. One day as I was driving down a hill, it came to me so clearly that if I want to be a follower of Christ Jesus I must do as he did. He had many worse things said and done to him than I, and yet he said on the cross, “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.” I felt a great sense of release in my thought. I knew then, and know now, that I love her as the child of God she really is even though her actions haven’t changed. What a comfort!
Thank you for the reminder. Lately I have been moved and bothered by behavior and words of others. To lose my peace over this and give it any power is just poison. As we increase our understanding we naturally increase the harmony and peace in our lives. The moments of anger and unrest become so unbearable. When I am moved by this behavior I have to ask myself what is it in me that reacts to this. What idea am I harboring? It is the belief that there is some other power than God. Thank God there isn’t.
Nelson Mandela — ‘Resentment is like drinking poison and then hoping it will kill your enemies.’
Thank you all. This is something I need to make a habit not to engage in every second of every day.