Finally, all of you should be of one mind. Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters. Be tenderhearted, and keep a humble attitude. Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and he will bless you for it. 10 For the Scriptures say, “If you want to enjoy life and see many happy days, keep your tongue from speaking evil and your lips from telling lies. Turn away from evil and do good. Search for peace, and work to maintain it. The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right, and his ears are open to their prayers. But the Lord turns his face against those who do evil.” 1 Peter 3:8-12
You know what it’s like…that person in your life perhaps someone you interact with daily or someone you just meet one time. They are the one that is extremely unhappy with their situation and take out their frustration on everyone else around them. It’s even harder and more hurtful when it’s someone you love. My first instinct is to lash out at them…to give them a taste of their own medicine. I remember one small incident where I went into Taco Bell for lunch. The cashier on the other side was super rude to me for no reason and my usual response would have been to have been short right back. For some reason that day I felt that she must really be going through something difficult so instead of being rude back, I stopped and looked at her in the eyes and said, “I’m sorry if I upset you in some way.” I couldn’t believe the change in her demeanor. She immediately softened and her entire attitude turned around. I was amazed at how kindness had brought a certain amount of joy to her day.
I wish I could say that it happened like that every time. I, for one, can attest that it doesn’t. I know…I’m experienced…I used to teach junior high students :0). There would days when they would come into class with anger and attitude so thick. I would often try to lighten their mood with a quick joke or sometimes a soft hand on their shoulder just to let them know that I cared. Sometimes it worked. Sometimes I saw the fight drain from their eyes. However, even when it didn’t, it wouldn’t do me any good to retaliate back.
I look at this verse with its incredible truths. It tells us to:
Sympathize
Love
Be tenderhearted
Have a humble attitude
Show kindness instead of retaliation
Pay back with a blessing
Bring peace
If we do, then God says he will:
Bless us
Give a joyful life and happy days
Look for those who do right
Listen to our prayers
God’s ways always seem to be different than the way the world would do things. That’s what makes them so right, so radical and so very fulfilling.
