It’s not fair when people rile us, especially when we’ve tried to do the right thing.
It backfires on us, we get caught blindsided, and we have no idea what’s going on.
Our first response is to lash out, to make them feel how much we’ve been hurt.
God says don’t do it. He offers us a better choice, one that doesn’t burn bridges that we might not be able to repair.
Matthew 5:44-45 gives 4 Ways to Turn Loose of Our Anger when we’ve been offended.
“But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; that ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he makes his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.”
This passage is a “do this, get that” example of God’s plan for us. If we work to turn loose of our anger – forgive our offender, in essence – God will recognize us as his children.
That’s a strong message of hope for those of us with bruised intentions.
Here are God’s 4 Ways to Turn Loose of Our Anger:
No. 1 – Love your enemies.
Do something nice for them. A cupcake on their desk. A card congratulating them for a successful presentation.
No. 2 – Bless them that curse you.
Speak to them in a friendly manner, even as your anger tells you not to. Do it anyway. You can, you know.
No. 3 – Do good to them that hate you.
Offer to help with a project. Invite them to lunch. Step up. Be more than nice.
No. 4 – Pray for them that despitefully use you.
Ask God to give them good opportunities. Then turn them over to God.
What this does is change us. Our attitude toward our offender changes. In the process, our anger fades into the background, and one day, it’s no longer there.
God knows us. He understands how to guide us. When we follow his precepts, we become more like him than ever before.
We are God’s children when we live as he instructs us to live.
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