Overcoming Adversity with the Golden Rule

In life we will be hurt, disappointed, and experience pain caused by people. Often times we will experience this from the ones we love the most. As I get older, I recognize that those that we don't know that hurt us we respond less lovingly too and just a bit more harsh towards them than those that we love. However, the ones that we do know and the ones that have spent time with us has full capacity to shut our emotions down.  When we have expereienced pain in some form from our loved ones or people we barely know, our first response is always disbelief.  We, then go through the situation over and over again trying to see how it happened, if we were at fault in some kind away and back to "O-M-G, I can't believe this". Either way, we are hurt and naturally there will be a response. 


Somewhere in there getting even always finds it way to our mind.  Either, we wanna give them a piece of our mind, or return the pain/embarrassment,  or maybe even fight. Today, I wanna cation you on responding the right way to adversity. If you must respond, make sure its in love. Returning the treatment you have received is called Revenge. God has a specefic attitude towards revenge and I wanted to share it with you. 


Matthew 5:38-45 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth. ³⁹ But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. ⁴⁰ And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. ⁴¹ If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. ⁴² Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.⁴³ “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ ⁴⁴ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, ⁴⁵ that you may be children of your Father in heaven. 

Romans 12:17-21 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. ¹⁸ If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. ¹⁹ 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. ²⁰ On the contrary:“If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” ²¹ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

We must make up in our mind that we are going to do God's will no matter what. It gets hard, yes it does. However I have learned that many times my feelings lie. I can choose to feel some other way. I don't have to be angry or sad. I can definitely choose to respond to adversity as an overcomer. How? I am glad you asked, by responding in love. 

If you are ever hurt, disappointed, stabbed in the back, betrayed, or even hit; don't respond the same way you have been treated. Overcomers respond how they want to be treated. If you want love respond in love. If you want admiration, respond in admiration. If you want respect, respond in respect. I think you get my drift. 

By all means if you are being beaten, respond in love by leaving. Love your neighbor and yourself enough to prevent them from going to jail and you from going to the hospital or the morgue. 

Keep in mind who you are dealing with. It's always easier for us to be more loving to the ones we love. We must be the same way to those we do not know also, we are to love them also. One way to keep things in perspective is that we are all made in the like image of God and what you have done to them you have also done to Christ. Just because they are not a close friend, or relative does not give your the ok to respond differently. 

We have been empowered by God to have the victory in every situation. We do not have to play victim. So today I encourage you to trust God to fight your battles, remain in love. God will take care of those who hurt you. Just make sure He doesn't have to take of you for responding in the same manor. 

God bless your Growth & Change in Christ

Rofasho.