“Why are some people so mean?” the young woman tearfully asked.
Two co-workers at a new job were going out of their way to make things
difficult. At the same time, she was going through a painful divorce. To top it
off, the fallout from the broken marriage was affecting friendships she had
thought could be counted on.
“I made such a fool of myself,” she lamented, referring to a
specific episode when, out of hurt and anger she said and did things she
immediately regretted.
“You also did the right thing afterward,” I encouraged her.
“You swiftly apologized, both to the ones you lashed out at and to those who
witnessed the incident.”
“I just don’t get it,” she said. “Ever since I have
committed my life to Christ, people who I thought were my friends have turned
on me.”
Many Christians have been confronted by challenges like this
person is facing, I think we are fighting a battle on two fronts—personal and
spiritual. When others attack us, whether in words or actions, they not only
want to hurt us emotionally, they also want to prove that Christianity is a
bunch of hooey that doesn’t make a lick of difference in a person’s life.
People tried to hurt and discredit Jesus, and they want to do
the same to us as Christians today. If they can do that, then they don’t have
to accept Jesus’ teachings or change their behavior. They will do anything they
can to goad us into breaking down and behaving just like them.
On our own, we do not have the strength to hold up under
pressure like that. But, as Philippians 4:13 promises, we can do ALL things
through Christ, including control our reactions.
As arrogant as it sounds, in volatile situations like this
young woman’s, I try to take a step back and remind myself, I am the better person; I do not
have to respond in the same hurtful way. Why? Not because I am by any means
superior, but because, as a Christian, I have the Holy Spirit inside me, Christ
beside me, and the Father watching over me. That
is where my power to rise above the fray comes from.
“How very great is [God’s] power at work in us who believe.
This power working in us is the same as the mighty strength which he used when
he raised Christ from death and seated him at his right side in the heavenly
world.” (Ephesians 1:19-20) Now that’s
power to overcome!
Be encouraged!
Pam
©2018 Pamela D. Williams
