Why is it that there seems to be so much celebration and interest in the misfortune of others? It is like we’re all rubber-necks by design. I was watching an innocent casual TV show called “Shipping Wars” and it is basically several individual transportation business owners who are trying to outbid their competition to win the winning bid to transport whatever load the client has to its destination. I was watching them go back and forth with some sort of “live” bidding website. The entire time, they were saying various insults about their competition and making personal remarks about why everyone else was far too incompetent to handle this random load. I couldn’t watch it anymore. I felt like the point of the show was to celebrate the loss of the bidders who didn’t win. I was actually hoping that someone was going to say “Hey way to go! That was a great bid, I bet you’re going to have fun with that one” But I guess the networks know that that kind of show wouldn’t last. There has to be drama, stress, and just people generally hating on each other.
What is it with ‘winning’ and ‘justice’ and ‘vengeance’? Why is it that we believe in our soul that these need to happen? And happen RIGHT NOW! I would like to suggest that you learn the art of “letting go.” Imagine that. Why are you getting all caught up in the injustice or abuse that another person has caused you…even to the point where you feel it in your belly…your blood pressure responds at every thought…your sleep patterns are changed…all because this person screwed you and you simply can’t let it go? I have some secret wisdom for you: We live in a fallen world (GASP!) Get used to people taking advantage of you and situations. The better thing to do may be to be prepared to LET IT GO! You may have a whole drawn out plan for retaliation or exposure for the other person’s injustice, but at what cost? Are you willing to lose time with your family, friends or helping other people get ahead solely in the interest of getting what YOU want out of the situation? LET IT GO. Take a deep breath, be the bigger person without telling everyone how you are being the bigger person. Keep it in your heart – grow from your experience – turn your emotions in to something else…something worthwhile and lasting.
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind…
Romans 12:22
In MANY scriptures in the Bible there are discussions of dealing with the enemy. Have you ever stopped to think WHY they are so numerous? Because when you are living the life God wants us to live, it is polar to the worlds view of things. If you are living a carefree easy life with no enemies or problems…I hate to say it, but you may need to relook at your spiritual life. It’s possible that a good measure of your walk in this world is how much adversity there is. Many times, we are instructed to “be in the world but not OF the world”. We should live our lives as examples…light and salt, right? If we get caught up in the whole “look out for number one” syndrome, how can we be anything other than just another sheep in the flock of sheep? Christ was very clear that living by His word, you are setting yourselves up for attack.
Jesus prayed in John 17 for his followers “I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world.”
We don’t need to be ‘removed’ from the world just as we are not to be conformed by it – we need to be among the people to be change among them; but when we fly that close to the flame, we will get burnt if we are not careful. Solidify yourselves in truth and constant prayer for God’s protection as we make our ways through the challenges of this world.
If you want to be different, be merciful. Forgive those who do you wrong, not because they deserve it, not because it will make things better, not because anything other than it will heal YOU from the inside out. Love, mercy, peace…so many things that go against what you feel after watching the world news on TV. Did the other guys screw things up? Did someone get treated unfairly? Did a new law just pass that makes no sense? LET IT GO. We knew this was coming. We have heard all our lives that the end is coming, and the Bible promises us that things will get much worse as we get closer to the end. So why are you acting all surprised and upset? This is the time for us to come together and care more about others than ourselves…even when it means we don’t get that sweet taste of revenge for being wronged. Here’s a novel idea: Anytime you feel you have been treated unfairly or unjustly or just plain wrong…think about Jesus and what he went through those last horrendous hours of his life for US! He experienced all of our sins and pain at once. He took the sins of mankind for all time…not just his, or his apostles, or his cities…ALL OF OUR SINS and we know the punishment for sin is _______! Yikes! Suddenly my little world of problems withered up.
While the Don Corleone may have said it for the wrong reason, his words are actually very solid: “Keep your friends close and your enemies closer” – but rather than using it for gain or advantage, use it for opportunity to be a positive input in the life of others.
“The quality of mercy is not strained.
It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven
Upon the place beneath. It is twice blessed:
It blesseth him that gives and him that takes.”
William Shakespeare
Truly as humans this is a hard thing to do yet we must strive to be exactly what you speak of…what Jesus spoke of. As I was reading this I felt so many emotions looking back on this past year. It’s hard to reflect on how the devil has worked on so many through these difficult times. I pray it helped me grow in many ways, and that it did the same for many others. Thanks for your words of wisdom and thought provoking insight. I look forward to reading your messages.