Walk Away and Let God Handle It
When a man’s ways are pleasing to the LORD, he makes even his enemies live at peace with him. -- Proverbs 16:7
How well do you get along with people you don’t like? Do you walk away and refuse to deal with them? Do you barely tolerate their presence and make sure they know it? Or do you smile, determined to be nice no matter what?
Few things in life are certain, but one thing you can count on is that someone is always going to disagree with you. It could be what you say, how you do something, even what you’re wearing. Someone is going to have a problem with it and, sometimes, it’s going to seem really, really personal. Their attitude reflects them. How you deal with it reflects you and, because you’re a Christian, your actions also reflect on God.
“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.” -- Luke 6:27-28
It really hurts when people don’t like us. It especially hurts when someone pretends to be a friend or supportive co-worker and then turns on us. With people you know don’t like you, there’s always that guardedness we keep in place to help protect ourselves. That’s not the case when it’s someone close to us. The pain is quick and deep.
Retaliation comes immediately to mind. They deserve it. And, frankly, we want to lash out when we’re hurt and betrayed. It’s harder to take a deep breath and pray for that person. It seems impossible to hold our tongues until we remember that we can do anything through Christ who strengthens us.
Honestly, people don’t know how to act when they do something awful and we don’t retaliate. They’re shocked. It’s a wonderful time for them to understand that Jesus is the reason we’re living differently than them. This doesn’t mean to let someone abuse us. I’m not talking about that. It means realizing that truth wins and vengeance belongs to God.
The LORD says to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.” -- Psalm 110:1
God knows everything. He sees everything. He’s going to take care of His children. That’s right. He will take care of us. And He will make things right in our lives. Maybe not in that moment, or even that week, but God always stands by His children.
Trusting God when we’re hurt isn’t easy. We want to handle it ourselves right then. But sometimes how we handle it only fuels the fire of anger and betrayal. No one wins. But walking away and letting God, means that it will be worked out for the best. In His will. In His time. Hold your tongue, refrain from retaliation, and trust God.
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