How are you feeding your Soul?
Feed Your Soul with the Word of God is an inspiring Bible Study that can also serve as a wonderful devotional. Edited by Beebe and Katy Kauffman and published by Lighthouse Bible Studies, it offers a banquet of thirty life changing passages to Feed Your Soul in service to our Lord.
I am blessed to be a contributing author to this study. My article?
Bless Your Enemy
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Romans 12:14
Of course, blessing our enemy (I cringe when I use the word enemy) is a challenge. Those who are in need of blessing and tolerance aren’t always enemies. My message this week is excerpted from “Bless Your Enemy,” my contribution to Feed Your Soul with the Word of God: Collection 1.
A steady stream of traffic halted my journey home after an exhausting day at work. As I waited at the stop sign, there seemed no end to the long line of cars traveling the two-lane, congested street. I leaned on the steering wheel, wearily watching for a break in traffic.
After several minutes, a gap appeared in the line. I zipped out into the street and accelerated to the speed of traffic so as not to delay other drivers.
But, not quickly enough…
The black automobile bore down on me with no mercy. A loud and long blast on the horn alerted me to the driver’s displeasure, the car stayed glued to my rear bumper until the road widened to four lanes. As the dark vehicle swerved to the left and roared past. the woman driver shot me the middle finger salute and shouted something that I was thankful not to hear.
I sighed and shrugged. Traffic was heavy and I needed to pay attention to my driving. The black car sped ahead. My ramp onto the interstate approached, but traffic stalled in both lanes. Ahead of me, a black car, signal light blinking, tried to merge into the right lane.
It was the angry woman. No other drivers allowed her to change lanes. I confess to a brief moment of joy at her dilemma, but I’m happy to be able to say that my glee was a fleeting moment. As traffic in the right lane crawled toward her, I stopped to open a space in front of me. As she merged right, I gave a little wave. She didn’t respond and quickly exited.
You’ve probably experienced road rage, or at the least “road rudeness.” For twenty years, my job required that I drive hundreds of miles per week. I’ve seen a lot of angry, reckless, and dangerous drivers. It is often easy to respond with the same aggression and lack of consideration. But, with God’s help, we can break the cycle of negativity.
Of course, it’s not only on the highway that rudeness occurs. Sometimes it’s our pride that causes us to react so strongly to an insult. The temptation to “get back” at the person who mistreated us may overcome our desire to be kind or compassionate. Yet, God’s word urges us not to let our pride to interfere with our ability to live at peace with one another.
Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. Romans 12:16
We may experience rudeness and aggression in many places. Most likely we’ve been insulted at stores, restaurants, in our work place, and in unexpected places (such as home and church). These people aren’t our enemies, yet their actions can cause pain and heartache. In the heat of the moment, we may view them as the “enemy.” Thus we are tempted to retaliate in anger. Again the Apostle Paul provides guidance.
Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge. I will repay,” says the Lord. Romans 12:17-20.
God has our back! Paul is letting us know that our Father will stand up for us. We don’t need to avenge our pain and injury. If anyone is to administer justice for the insult we have received, our God will do it for us.
But, perhaps the most amazing aspect of an interpersonal conflict can be an alternative response–our Father can take away our desire to retaliate.
God’s word urges us one step further. We are reminded not only to put our pride aside and respond with humility, kindness, and compassion when someone is rude, aggressive or insulting; but Jesus directs us to love our enemy and take specific actions to show that love.
You have heard that is was said, “Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.” But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you many be children of your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:43-45
- Pray for those who persecute us.
- Pray for those who mistreat us.
- Pray for those who hurt us.
That’s a tall order, especially in the heat of the moment, at the time of the insult. But, God enables us to respond in love and kindness.
Love makes the difference.
Jesus shows His great love for us through the sacrifice of His life on the cross for our sins. We are called to love others as Jesus loves us (John 13:34-35). Often, this means putting the needs of others ahead of our own. It means doing good to others, even when they’ve not been good to us. It means praying for those who have been unkind.
But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. James 3:17.
I invite you to join in the discussion. How do you respond in love when you’ve been mistreated or hurt? Your strategies can help others. Please share in the comments below.
I’ve shared part of one segment from Feed Your Soul with the Word of God. The other articles provide a banquet of inspiration and wisdom to nourish your soul. The book can be purchased at www.lighthousebiblestudies.com or from Amazon. I think you’ll receive a blessing from reading it.
I just read your study in Feed Your Soul again last week Ms. Katherine. For the very thing you discussed here. I’ve taken to carrying my conceal carry weapon with me when I drive into big cities like Dallas. here in the country (nearly one hundred miles from Dallas), slower drivers (usually farmers hauling a heavy load, etc.) will move to the right shoulder and let people drive on by. In the big cities, it seems they resort to shooting drivers over a “Road Rage” incident. I had a situation last week that required every bit of self-control the Holy Spirit could give me to resist the temptation to retaliate. Great lesson my friend.
As you know, I’m a country girl, too, and life seems more peaceful. But, with the terrifying situations that are occurring in our country, I fear that peace is becoming more elusive. As you comment, self-control is essential and lots of prayer and love for one another.
I’ve read your contribution in the book prior to this, but enjoyed being reminded again about this valuable lesson! I often allow myself the opportunity to express “road rudeness” in the confines of my car, alone, because I feel like no one hears me call the driver an idiot or sees my anger and exasperation. But, even when I shared that rudeness with no one but myself in the car, I realized it was causing my attitude to change for the next few minutes and sometimes even longer – it put me in such a bad mood to give in to that rudeness, even if the Holy Lord was the only one who witnessed it. I try to do better, and I also try to remind myself that perhaps something very serious is going on in their lives at that very moment that they need to get somewhere in a hurry. It doesn’t always help my attitude, but I am certainly trying! Thanks for the reminder, sweet friend!
I’m guilty, too, Julie. Yesterday I had a long drive back from my university and a driver endangered me and others by tailgating and speeding in and out of fast traffic on the interstate. I caught myself just in time as I started to mumble some unkind adjectives. Instead, I offered a prayer for them (and me)! I’m just hoping I can do that more often and not give in to the urge to insult. Wishing you safe travels, my friend.
This is a great addition to the compilation and an excellent reminder for this post. Thank you for reminding us of this truth. If I’m honest, one trigger I have to watch in my life is feeling disrespected. The enemy can use that to offer pride as a solution rather than grace or mercy. In those times, I ask God to how me the other person(s) through His eyes instead of mine. I find that helps to put things back into a Kingdom-minded perspective.
I agree, Joshua. If we could swallow our pride more often and think about what the other person is feeling (or the struggles they are going through), our world would be a much kinder place. Thank you for sharing your loving insight.
I’m glad you were able to show her real love and grace even for just a moment.
Thank you, Jennifer. Although she wasn’t appreciative at the moment, the situation gave me a chance to be kind. While she may never recognize that, the episode reminded me that we can always choose our reactions.
Driving gives us many opportunities to be offended as your experience shows an example. Our flesh cannot forgive, but only with God’s help can we respond in kind the way you did to this situation. Wonderful post!
Your reminder is so apt, my friend. We can’t respond with kindness in a negative situation without God’s strength. As you say, our flesh is weak and we need His strength. Thank you for your encouragement.
Katherine, boy could I relate to this one. SoCal traffic is some of the worst. Road rage is a daily occurrence. It can sure put a dent in your day… if you let it (pun intended). I hate to admit, but I’ve been driving along singing praise and worship to the Lord one moment, and then in the next, I’m gritting my teeth and calling someone an idiot. YIKES!
Thanks for sharing. A beautiful addition to Feed Your Soul and well worth the read, my friend.
Ha! Love your pun and it is fitting. Sometimes the result of road rage is a lot of dents! I know what you mean about the quick change in our personalities when road aggression occurs. We can jump from happy to ferocious in an instant. It’s something I just have to keep working on. Thank you for your kind words. Wishing you a blessed day (free from road rage!)
How easy it would have been to pretend you didn’t see the one who had wronged you. A preacher once shared a similar account of road rage, but instead of being able to turn the other cheek to the offender by allowing entrance in front of him he witnessed a state trooper giving the guy a ticket. He felt so vindicated!
When I pray for an “enemy” or who I call a thorn-in-my-side, I used to pray for them to change. But what happened was God changed my attitude about them. It made those kind of prayers easier for me.
I agree completely, Candyce, our prayers for others greatly benefit us–another wonderful aspect of God’s great love for us. Thank you for reminding us that sometimes it’s our attitude that needs changing and our Lord can do it–if we allow His grace to work in us.
Great post. It is a great book. I own it and have read it.
Thank you, Jimmie. I’m so glad you are enjoying Feed Your Soul with the Word of God. I hope you’re feeling better.