Choosing a Route of Gentleness and Grace (9.19.13)

Have you ever wanted to put your Christianity on a shelf,
and be as mean to someone as they are being to you?

Maybe not, because you are a nice person : ). Most of the time, all of us are probably nice people; however, sometimes being nice to extreme rude people is easier said than done. When someone replies to you with a sarcastic or nasty answer, the first thing we want to do is set them straight. Sometimes, the answer we reply with is just as sarcastic or nasty as the other person.

When this happens, you have two choices - you can choose to follow GOD or choose to follow satan.  If you choose the route of anger, a harsh comeback or retaliation; you would have basically stepped into satan's camp and caused the conflict to escalate. However, if you choose the route of gentleness and grace, you would be partnering with GOD to deflate the situation.

GOD want us to exercise gentleness, grace and peace when confronted with situations of confrontational anger. Why would you want to exchange a few minutes of hurtful words with someone?  Eventually, that will only leave a heavy burden of regret in your heart, for once words are spoken, they can never be taken back.

Typically, people who are on the edge have stored up misery that they are not dealing with. Their reaction probably has a lot less to do with you, and a lot more to do with another situation in their life. Proverbs 15:1 states, "A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger."

Situations such as these feel hugely offensive when they are happening, but in perspective, they are not huge at all. These incidents were not some sort of major injustice in your life, they were actually just minor inconveniences. Why would you want to trade the gift of peace from GOD, for a few cheap moments of putting someone else in their place?

It's all about perspective!

In all honesty, if this was the worst thing that happened to you all day,
then it was still a pretty good day!