Did someone say or do something wrong to you today? Maybe someone at work or at school was rude and made an offensive or demeaning comment. Or while you are shopping someone might have lined up in front of you.
Similar things can happen in a family. One member may say something or disrespect another. Or it can be rude or cruel in some other way.
How do you react when these things happen?
Is it smart to answer?
Isn't there an immediate tendency to take revenge? But have you found that it really helps? Indeed, many marriages have deteriorated and disrupted due to marital relationships. An opposite course is much wiser.
Remember, haven't you said or done bad things to the people you love when you are tired or upset? We all have. And wouldn't we want to take back what was said or done later?
But when punishment for cruelty follows, doesn't a cycle often begin? Yes, cruelty quickly follows cruelty and hostility grows. Some people may feel like they need to reimburse the damage caused by the damage to prevent others from enjoying it. But experience has shown time and time again just how ruthless he is.
Mistakes can occur. Sometimes it went on for so long that the participants don't even remember how the fight started. Even entire nations and peoples have been involved in this cycle of injury after injury.
How can we stop it? How can I best respond to unpleasant comments or actions?
A wise course
An example from nearly 150 years ago illustrates this. At the time, there was an exercise where he was insulted to challenge the author to a duel. When American statesman Henry Clay was offended by John Randolph's testimony about him in the United States Senate, he challenged Randolph to a shootout. Witness Thomas H. Benton wrote:
"I went into the woods for a while and kept my eye on Mr. Randolph ... I saw him catch fire from Mr. Clay, I saw the crack in the gravel ... I" saw Mr. Randolph raise his gun and throw in it. In the air, I heard him say, "I'm not shooting you, Mr. Clay." Immediately he stepped forward and held out his hand.
Although pride drove Randolph to accept the challenge of a duel, he clearly had no hatred for Clay. However, after being offended by Randolf's comments, Clay was ready to kill him. It could have cost Clay his life! The inspired counsel of the Word of God is truly wise: "Do not rush into your own mind to be offended by what is in the bosom of fools."
But is it really wise to accept the abuse of others without taking revenge? Although Randolph foolishly proudly put his life on the line at first, what happened when, after refusing to rekindle the fire, he slowly approached Clay? Benton continues, “He encountered the same spirit. . . . On Monday, the parties exchanged letters and social relations were reestablished in a formal and courteous manner. ""
Yes, it's best to be kind even when others aren't with you. It is advisable to follow the apostle Peter's advice to Christians by urging them not to "pay evil for evil or shame for shame, but to give a blessing."
Others may think that they must return evil for evil, but the wise way is that recommended by the Word of God: “Do not return evil for evil. . . . If possible, be at peace with everyone as it is up to you. Instead of trying to reconcile yourself with those who are not kind to you, follow the words of the Bible: "Do not say," As he did to me, I will do with him. I will pay each according to their work. '"
The way God shows kindness. "He's kind to the ungrateful and the wicked." Thus his Son Jesus Christ exhorts, following his example: "Be merciful as your Father is merciful". This path will be a protection.
First, it can prevent you from harming yourself. Like? What can happen if you strike back in anger when someone is not nice to you? Do not increase your blood pressure, which can have serious consequences on your health? However, it is good that you are calm and in control. The Bible rightly says: "A calm heart is the carnal organism".
First, it can prevent you from harming yourself. How? 'Or what? What can happen if you react angrily when someone is not kind to you? Your blood pressure can not rise, which can have serious consequences for your health? However, it is good that you remain calm and controlled. The Bible rightly says: "A calm heart is the carnal organism."
Your friendly response can also have a positive effect on anyone who has negotiated or talked to you in a nasty way. You can earn good will and maintain peaceful relationships. Several times the biblical proverb has proven to be true: "An answer, when it is kind, drives away anger, but a word that causes pain causes anger.”
