"Live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble... Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? But, even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed...in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give a reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander."
1 Peter 3:8, 13-16
When we are faced with difficult people it can be really hard to do as the passage above says. When we have someone attacking us, it's our nature to go on the defensive and fight back. But, Christ calls us to a higher path:
When people are gossiping about us we are called to live in harmony with them.
When they purposely say things to cause us pain we are called to be sympathetic.
When others hate us we are called to love as brothers.
When we're speared with a sarcastic joke, we are called to be compassionate.
When we're criticized we are called to be humble.
When we're being insulted we are called to be gentle.
When we are mocked we are called to be respectful.
... and always, we are called to have the gospel on the tip of our tongue... ready to share the hope that lies within us.
Seem impossible? It is only possible because we have set Christ in our hearts... and with Him ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE.
5 comments:
Beautiful words to live by. We all need to stop and think. Thanks for sharing. http://lafeshiddentreasures.blogspot.com/
Tearing thru life at a million miles an hour, buisness from the home, renos happening in the kitchen, major construction next door pounding earthquakes thru our yard, dust, noise....harmony would be a blessed thing. Set your mind on these things:truth, honorable, right, pure, lovely, things of good report, worthy of praise...Phil.4:17
Thanks for this beautiful post today!!
Have a blessed day!
Exactly what I needed to hear today. Thanks, Chrissy.
Chrissy, reading the stuff you write always makes me think I need to not be such a a-hole all the time to people. I get wrapped up in being a jerk to people for my job that it sometimes carries over, into my personal life.
Good to know that there are kind people out there.
You, Josh and the kids take care.
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