Recently a friend told me about a person
who, when they are together always says things to deliberately hurt
her—especially in faith matters. He shows no respect and seems to enjoy making
her uncomfortable. This friend was dreading that Thanksgiving forced the two to
share the same room and celebration. I could readily identify with her. Don’t we all have such people in our lives?
Even though Jesus told us in Matthew 5 that
we are to be “happy about it when people mock you and persecute you and lie
about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my
followers,” and even promises us a blessing, it’s hard for us humans to rejoice
when it actually happens.
My first reaction to such put-downs is apt
to be hurt. Then I begin to think of all kinds of come-backs, most of which are
not the kind of thing I really want to say. To say them would put me on the
same level as the one who is throwing such denunciations at me. I bite my
tongue and try to keep quiet, but my self-esteem takes a beating. The whole
ambiance is quickly turned to discomfort and a wish to escape and lick my
wounds.
How quickly words can change attitudes and
feelings. A few words can build up or
tear down in a matter of seconds. I,
myself, need to be conscious of this and use words carefully so as to do the
former rather than the latter. I have control over what I say if I heed the
warning that James has for me. He
reminds me that an unruly tongue can set my whole life afire!
So what if I am in the presence of someone
else who wants to set my life on fire? How do I act or react? It’s especially difficult when it’s my faith,
or my Lord that is being ridiculed. What can I do to make the circumstance a
positive rather than a negative?
Proverbs tells me that a soft answer turns away wrath, but how often can
I think of an appropriate soft answer when I’m under fire?
It seems to me the best antidote to such
situations is to try to see these people through Jesus’ eyes. What do I
speculate Jesus’ thoughts to be when he sees this happening to a beloved child
of his? How does he see the person who
is so insecure in his own feelings that he needs to belittle someone else?
Ah-hh!
He loves us both.
I can rest secure in God’s love for me, his support and assurance even in the
face of unkind remarks, because he loves me so much. He is right there with me, ready to take the barbs
meant for me. Instead of resentment, I can feel pity and love for the person
who feels he needs to be putting me down.
I can quietly ask God to see behind the insecurity this individual
feels. I can ask the Holy Spirit to
whisper words of kindness to another child he loves. I can offer a kindly
smile, knowing that he still hasn’t found the grace of God.
And
if he wonders why I offer that smile after unkind words, maybe it will help him
pause to think again!
