“Keep in mind, hurting people often hurt other people as a result of their own pain. If somebody is rude and inconsiderate, you can almost be certain that they have some unresolved issues inside. They have some major problems, anger, resentment, or some heartache they are trying to cope with or overcome. The last thing they need is for you to make matters worse by responding angrily.”
~ Joel Osteen
What you say Evan is right, usually a person who is hurt, may respond rudely and hurt other people. But in any case its not correct to be insensitive to other peoples feelings.
What you wish to tell us perhaps is “Never react but respond with love.”
Well, but if you go to see Evan, each one has a cross to carry and some pain to suffer, some issues to resolve. if we all lose our cool then what? But okay will keep in mind that all those who hurt and who are rude and inconsiderate, do not always mean any wrong. Perhaps they need a little more love, a little more compassion and a patient and understanding heart. The next time I see a friend or a colleague act rudely, indifferently I will try and be more compassionate and kind. Thanks for being so understanding and teaching us to reach out to all with love, especially the unkind ones.
Dear Evan,
I am just in such a situation, not to react angry to something rude a person writs to me. Rather I will pray about that situation, the only way to heal it. Thank you for today`s angle thoughts!
Thank you Evan
Yes
To always be loving and kind is best!
You remind me of this lovely hymn from the Christian Science Hymnal
Hymn 315
Speak gently, it is better far
To rule by love than fear;
Speak gently, let no harsh word mar
The good we may do here.
Speak gently to the erring ones,
They must have toiled in vain;
Perchance unkindness made them so;
O win them back again.
Speak gently, ‘tis a little thing,
Dropped in the heart’s deep well;
The good, the joy that it may bring,
Eternity shall tell.
Thanks Evan and Heather, it’s a beautiful and powerful hymn about the power of humility, letting the power of Love lead the way.
BEautiful hymn. Thank you.
When we express ourselves with love, there is just more of love to be experienced which is infinite in supply. You are so right to bring this situation to our attention. It is so easy to forget or misunderstand.
“And Love is reflected in love.” What a beautiful and practical spiritual sense Mrs. Eddy has given us of “The Lord’s Prayer” on page 17 of Science and Health. Criticism may only be reflected in more criticism. How important then it is to just return love under all circumstances.
I found this out long ago and have ever since reacted in a loving way.
Heather I love that hymn. Thanks.
Thanks for this! Others have talked about emotional pain, so I want to add this. I know when I am in physical pain, it is hard to be pleasant, but it is getting easier. When I came back to Chrisitan Science six years ago, I was suffering from severe chronic pain. I found it hard to be around people much at all as a result. It was too hard to be civil. Now, I’m grateful to say, the pain has lessened greatly, and I’m able to keep grounded in God most of the time even when it’s bad. I know complete healing will come! And, I am very grateful to CS for giving me my life back.
So grateful too! Thank you for sharing these healing thoughts!
Hi Evan,
Not sure how this is done if you are in the military, after years of tours, taught to react quickly then return to life in the U.S. – do the same set of tolls always apply?
I’m not sure I understand your question or where its coming from. But the rules of love and forgiveness always have a good effect. The same rules of Love do apply to everyone. Military training brings a whole other set of circumstances along with it, as you mention, but one would still want to act with dominion rather than mindlessly, even in the most heated of circumstances.
I hope its ok that I relate an incident that happened in Boy Scout camp, which so clearly illustrates today’s message… A scout we didn’t know was coming over from the cabin next door and being mean to our grandson, whom we will call “H”. Scout masters told us this had been happening all week, but since he wasn’t in their troop, they didn’t have much control over the situation, except to stop his advances, but he was still very verbal. While we were there, the boy suddenly ran up & grabbed H’s Scout cap, yelled some harassing words, & ran off. I stopped H from chasing after him & reminded him of trying to see GOd’s perfect person, even when that person wasn’t displaying His perfection. The boy came back waving the hat and taunting. since H said nothing, I said we love you & we would like you to be nice & be friends. He suddenly grabbed H’s arm, handing him his hat, & off they went. The report later was that they became good buddies during the following week., & the harassment had stopped immediately. Perhaps the boy’s nastiness was his attempt at making friends? Only God knows, and can adjust the situation through our thinking. Thanks, Evan!