Please visit here to learn more about this 30-day challenge.
I have probably said it a hundred times here already, but my grandparents had to be some of the wisest people that I have ever known. They weren’t perfect any more than the rest of us are, but they were wise. They had struggles in their lives and learned from them and tried to pass that knowledge and wisdom onto their grandchildren. I was often a very blessed recipient of their wisdom.
There was a time that I was having a big struggle with a girl. She didn’t like me and I didn’t like her. We were going to be family, so I had to find a way to civility somehow. My grandparents shared with me the section of the Bible that talks about praying good prayers and doing good for people that have hurt you.
Romans 12:17-21
17 Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.
18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.
19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.
20 Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.
21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.
I was angry and hurt because of this person (and with myself) and wanted to just pray directly for the hot coals on this person. I was intending actual hot coals, which is not at all what this verse is saying. Grandma and Grandpa explained to me that this just isn’t how it works. I was to pray good, honest prayers for the person that had hurt me and not wish bad things on her. In the good prayers lay changes for the hearts of both the one that hurt me and my own.
So, I set about to make myself pray good prayers for her. At the beginning, it was through gritted teeth, clenched so tightly that I thought every one of them would pop loose from my mouth. They were right, though. It got easier with time. It was working a change in my heart, too. Then, the day happened in which we were tentatively civil to each other. That, too, got easier over time.
It kind of goes along with something that my mama told me years ago, which was, “Kill’em with kindness.” If people are being mean to you and you are nice to them in return, it just gets all under their skin and they don’t know how to act. It may lead them to repentance and, ultimately, to Heavenly Father.
So, drive your enemies crazy. Be nice to them! Mama said so. 🙂
Please be sure to read David’s post over at Random Thoughts and Observations.
Please also visit our hostess Rosema at Word-High July.
Source for Bible passage: Bible Gateway
Disclaimer: These Filipino word images are from an article by Isabelle Laureta on BuzzFeed titled “36 Of The Most Beautiful Words In The Philippine Language”. All credit goes to them.
oh dear Suz!! this is such a blessed piece. Indeed we can compensate evil with goodness, not for them but for us. ❤ thank you for sharing!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Rosema. I am so glad that you feel blessed by it. 🙂 Have a wonderful day!
LikeLiked by 1 person
yes. this is a great reminder, my friend.
mine’s about to end. you have a great day, too!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you. I hope that you have a beautiful night, my friend. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
you are welcome, my friend! 🙂 thank you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re welcome, too, my friend. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
So, needed to see this…I have been so mad at something, anger and nasty words directed at me and my husband from one of my brothers…which I don’t understand as we haven’t spoken for over 10 years and he wants to place judgement when he knows nothing about me or us? ANYWAYS…thanks Suzanne…sure needed to see this…
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re welcome, Linda. I am sorry that there is a problem with your brother. 😦 {{{Hugs}}} You’re in my prayers.
LikeLiked by 1 person
its ok, Suzanne, it has been festering for over 40 something years, since we were children. smiles
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m sorry. My sister and I have never gotten along either. Favoritism pitted us against each other from the get go. Have a great day.
LikeLiked by 1 person
yep..and that “f” word -favoritism- still pits us against one another…and probably always will…sad to say.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That stinks. It is the same way for me. I determined long before I had babies that I was not going to play favorites. I love them all the same amount, but different. I hope that makes sense. I can’t explain it. They are all my babies and I couldn’t imagine my life without any one of them. No way would I chose one over the other, to hold out as better or more perfect than another one, not like my mama did. It isn’t fair to the rejected or to the chosen. It just gums up the whole works.
Have a blessed day. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I was having a discussion with my mother in-law today about this…she has 6 kids and she plays favorites and her thought is, “Well…the girls need more attention (the girls are 52, 45, 40) then the boys do (51,50,49 yrs old)…anyways….I guess it is what it is…sad to say.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That is sad. I think they all need attention. Maybe different kinds of attention, but they all need to be loved and cared for just as much. I know favoritism affected your relationship with your brother, but how did it turn out for your husband and his siblings? Do the boys and girls get along with each other okay or did it create a rift between them?
LikeLiked by 1 person
the boys were raised together, the girls were raised sep. with another family member…so, the boys really do not get along with the girls, the boys are thick as thieves, wink. It doesn’t help that their mother shows favoritism…just a sad situation…long story….smiles
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m glad the boys are close. Are the girls close to each other? This does sound like a very sad story.
LikeLiked by 1 person
yes, the girls are close….yes, it is sad, especially when my mother in law pits the boys against the girls….or the girls against the boys….she has dementia–so in all fairness, I have to disclose that. That plays in a lot with what she does.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m sorry that she has dementia. 😦 My grandma had Alzheimer’s. It is a horrible thing, stealing them from us. It is very sad.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I find it as difficult as you had found it in initial days. It’s a great teaching. I understand it but haven’t been able to accomplish it yet. Your story gives me encouragement:)
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am glad to have offered you encouragement. We just have to maintain faith and know that Heavenly Father has this, too. You can do it. Have a blessed day.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Suzanne! Have a blessed day you too! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re welcome. Thank you, too, r prab.
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Such profound and wise words, Suzanne. Thank you for sharing them. I must remind myself this. ❤
21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Maria. I appreciate that. I think that it is a reminder that we all need very often. Sometimes things get so difficult in this world, it is easy to forget that love can change things. Thank you so much for your comments. Have a blessed day. 🙂
LikeLike