News Flash

Through the years I have had some folks that did not particularly take a shine to me. (What a shocker!) Indeed in some cases it seems as though I am like a lightening rod in attracting anger, displeasure, and wrath. I’m sure that everyone reading this has had someone that in spite of their best efforts, did not like them. Some seem to be devastated and worry to no end because so and so “does not like me”. News flash: Not everyone in life is going to like us, this even in spite of our best efforts. Not everyone liked Jesus Christ and that should tell us something. Jesus is perfect in every way and is the personification of love. Rest assured if Jesus Christ had enemies, so will we

My philosophy is that, if you cannot get along then we should just move along’. Another adage that seems to make sense is ‘if you do not like the apples do not kick the tree’. In other words avoidance is a good strategy with these people. Personally I think some people thrive on controversy and for whatever reason(s) are not happy unless mired down in it. Basically nothing we can say or do will change it. Getting mad about it or worrying about it is about as useless as getting mad because it rained today; it will keep on raining whether we are mad, worry, or whatever. We should not fight ‘fire with fire’ and fight with them as one does not overcome evil with evil; instead evil is overcome by doing good. The Bible tells us that if an enemy is thirsty give him water; if he is hungry, give him food. In so doing it is like heaping hot coals on his head. (As flesh I sometimes have to fight the urge to take the direct route of just going ahead and heaping the coals on their head, and forego giving them food and water, or better, just smacking them upside the head and forget about being a nice guy, but as a Christian I have learned to control such urges…most of the time anyway.)

Sometimes I think we are far better off just avoiding those folks altogether. Trying to change them is like trying to grasp oil with your hand or like trying to restrain the wind. Much is in the Bible about avoiding divisive and contentious people. Life is far too short to waste it by living every day steeped in unpleasantness. Unfortunately some really nice people seem to be drawn to those that will never like them like a moth being drawn to a light on a dark night. Or in some cases the malcontents of the world seem attracted to you like hungry mosquitoes swarming out of the Everglades intent on devouring your blood. If you, (like me), are sometimes a psycho magnet’ think about today’s message and listen to what the Bible tells us. When confronted by their anger remember, “A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger”. No words, as in avoidance seems to work too.

This is not to say that we should avoid friends, family, employees, or acquaintances when they are simply having an occasional bad day or going through a difficult time. The foregoing is intended for the malcontents and professional stirrers of controversy of the world. We should suffer through trials with friends etc. just as we enjoy the good times together. If they lash out, be quick to forgive. The Bible tells us in no uncertain terms that we must forgive others. It states that a friend loves at ALL times especially during adversity and that “hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all sins”. In the end it all boils down to trying to treat everyone like you would like to be treated. Perhaps like Jesus your efforts will fall on deaf’ ears. If so, let it go like water running off a ducks back. Bottom line: Don’t let them grind you down and keep on smiling.

1 Cor. 13:4,8
Love suffers long and is kind…
Love never fails…