My wife and I were recently watching a celebrity interview in which the celebrity was sharing her experience of being called something negative by someone else over social media. After reading this negative comment about herself, the celebrity made the decision to respond with words towards her criticizer that I do not dare repeat.
The words formed a phrase that she hoped would “go viral” or “trend” on social media platforms for reasons that she did not make all together clear. But I must admit that part of me thinks she did it to simply provoke a response from her opponent or anyone else (namely her supporters) who was so moved to do so, by her language.
In what’s become the “norm” for our world, this celebrity’s reaction is no longer unique or unheard of. To respond to frustrating or difficult situations with anger and malice has become the way our world defends itself, and on some level, most of us are guilty. And it’s easy to see why the world rallies around this frame of mind, isn’t it? Of course it is! Negativity, mixed with a sharp tongue, feels great in the moment…even powerful…and it’s far easier to use towards others than forgiveness and peace is. Why?
Because showing humility and grace costs us the “feeling” of being powerful, right, and superior in the moment. Showing humility can often make one feel alone as well because forgiveness is a personal act of the heart that we must all express on our own.
The reality is, you’ll find far bigger crowds amongst those that shout out against their enemies with profanities and hateful words; because nothing unifies like a common enemy.
If only we could see that the true enemy we face is ourselves.
Brothers and sisters, as long as we are allowed to live on this earth, we will daily be faced with difficult and frustrating situations of varying degrees. It is up to us to decide how we’re going to respond. I encourage you to follow Jesus’s command and turn from your anger, hatred, and bitterness…and instead turn to HIM!
Remember that when we face our frustrations with anger, we end up sacrificing the feeling of peace that God intends for us to have in our lives. When we let that anger fester into bitterness, God’s love feels far away from our hearts. The cost of retaliation is too high, and we owe it to ourselves and the ones we love to honor God in how we choose to respond to life’s difficulties.
This world needs people like you, to stand up and show it what it can be, under the loving care and actions that Jesus exemplified. The time and need is now.
How will you choose to conquer the frustrations facing you today?
“Hot tempers start fights; a calm, cool spirit keeps the peace.”
