It happened a while back, I was being snubbed and ignored...purposefully. To me it was blatantly obvious and I knew her reasons and that she wasn't interested in reconciliation. I had already done what I believed I needed to do to rectify the situation, so I had a choice to make. I could choose to "repay evil with evil." I could mimic her behavior and totally ignore her, as well. I could easily turn my head when she spoke, walk out of the room when she walked in and avoid her at all costs. I could choose to do that or I could choose the Christ way. I could choose to do the opposite of what my flesh would have liked me to do and what would have been pleasing to the enemy of my soul. I was tempted, believe me, I was tempted!
But the Holy Spirit would have none of that. He compels me to "practice what I preach" even when I don't "feel like it" and that means I have to be more concerned with what will bring glory to my Father, rather than what might bring a moments satisfaction to my revenge gene! (The one I am determined, with my Father's help, to crucify!)
In the four and 1/2 years that I studied biblical conflict resolution (because I had a desperate need of it) the one most powerful lesson I learned from Ken Sande with Peacemaker Ministries is this, "EVERY conflict is an opportunity; An opportunity to Glorify God, Serve Others and Be Like Christ! And so, again, I was left with a choice...which is really no choice at all...I knew what I had to do. I knew what was required of me. Jesus spoke to me right out of Luke chapter 6. (I am convinced that, when Christ spoke those words to the disciples so long ago, He knew that eventually they would catch up with me and sear their place in my needy heart!)
He said....
27"But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunic.Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. Do to others as you would have them do to you..."
So I chose, day-by-day, to glorify God with my attitude and my behavior and to "redirect" my thoughts when they wanted to take me elsewhere; To serve her-literally-every chance I got and to pray for her in quiet moments of the day and the wee morning hours of the night. I don't know if any of it made a difference to her or not...that really wasn't the point. The point was this, the enemy of my soul wanted to use her and the situation for his own devilish purposes, but my Father God trumped him the moment I chose to do the right thing and you know what? That revenge gene will bite the dust! Praise God!
