Sometimes it’s very hard to be what and who we are supposed to be at all times, especially when others around us are acting in ways that affect us. Whether they are treating you badly simply because they don’t like you or maybe they have misjudged you. Or…maybe the shoe is on the other foot and someone did something to upset you and now you’re acting out of sorts. Either way, God calls us to be a certain way no matter what others are doing and no matter what is going on around us. We can’t let others and their actions, moods or situations dictate how we act or live our own lives.
Galatians 1:10 (TLB) 10 You can see that I am not trying to please you by sweet talk and flattery; no, I am trying to please God. If I were still trying to please men I could not be Christ’s servant.
I’ve lived through some very difficult things and have had to deal with some very difficult people in my life, but I have been determined to still be who and what God created me to be and walk in love. I’ve often been asked how can I smile in someone’s face and act like nothing is wrong when they’ve done or said something behind my back. My answer is simple… first, I am called to forgive and second I’m not living my life to please them. I’m not going to do everything right and often when walking with God you will have more than your share of nay sayers and back stabbers, but we still must live according to God’s love.
Because my God loves and forgives me and tosses my sins to the sea, so must I with everyone who hurts, offends or disrespects me. His love, forgiveness and kindness are etched on my heart because that is what He requires of me and He blesses me with daily. Now on the flip side I’m sure I have been that difficult person, I certainly don’t get it right all the time either. In fact, I know I’ve thrown a side eye, stayed upset a bit longer than I should have and even run my silly mouth more than I should have too…but, once I notice it I do my best to seek God’s forgiveness and that of the other person. Where would I be if my God didn’t forgive and turn the other cheek with me when I stray, hurt or offend Him?
Leviticus 19:18 (NLV) 18 Do not hurt someone who has hurt you. Do not keep on hating the sons of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord.
When we are wronged we have two choices, forgive as God forgives us or carry it around and suffer ourselves for lack of forgiveness. God requires that we forgive many, many times over. Now, I realize this still sometimes means we must walk away, but to not forgive is truly to our own downfall. When we wrong someone else…we have two similar choices. We can keep on as if nothing happen and allow the hurt and confusion to fester and grow deeper and deeper or we can apologize and ask that person’s forgiveness. But, again…the outcome is the same when we fail to act as God calls us to, it is to our own downfall and misery.
We can’t control others and how they treat us, but we can control ourselves and how we treat them. Of course this doesn’t always mean it comes out the way we want or expect it to, but we’ve done what God has required of us and can rest in that. I would rather live my life forgiving and asking for forgiveness; knowing I’m pleasing God, than to walk around upset, angry or in discord with others; knowing this is not God’s will for me and my life.
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