I listened patiently as the little boy complained about his sister's behavior towards him. She was so mean! She said and did things that really upset him... he's a sensitive child, quick to get his feelings hurt and prone to pouting.
How could I adequately explain to the children that people are often mean? They can be selfish and unkind and say things that offend. And while we can't control what others do and say, we get to choose how we'll respond or react to such behavior...
I have been guilty of reacting in anger, saying things I regret. I have a tendency to clam up and not speak to the offender for days while I ruminate on the altercation- analyzing what was said, what I should have said if I was quicker with the comebacks, stewing on the problem until I've either amplified it or I've forgotten why it was such a big deal in the first place... how utterly exhausting!
Jesus gave His disciples instructions for dealing with people when He sent them on mission. He said to them,
"Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave from there. Whatever place does not welcome you or listen to you, leave there and shake the dust off your feet in testimony against them." (Mark 6:10-11)
At first glance, this may seem like permission to cut people off if they will not welcome or listen to you... not so! The disciples were ambassadors for Christ. They were sent in His Name, by His authority, delivering His message of love and the need for repentance. Operating under the instruction and power of Jesus allows us to deal with people in the right way... the way of love! Not in my way, the way of being easily offended, of holding grudges, of being rude and unkind and quick-tempered. This is not the way of love!
Love is patient, love is kind. It is not jealous, [love] is not pompous, it is not inflated,
it is not rude, it does not seek its own interests, it is not quick-tempered, it does not brood over injury, it does not rejoice over wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth. (1 Cor13:4-6)
Yes, people will be mean! There are times we'll have to walk away, "shake the dust off our feet" when they will not listen. May our intention be love when dealing with others; may our words and actions spill over from the love God has poured into our own hearts and lives.
May we remember that we are ambassadors for Christ, that we are sent out into a hurting world by His authority, in His Name to heal and call His people to repentance.
Lord, teach us to love like You. Help us to be kinder, slower to take offense and more willing to forgive.
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