A Slap in the Face?

{Via}

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well."

{ Matthew 5:38-40}

Today I just felt led to post on a subject that most bloggers don't post about. Not that it's forbidden or horrible or anything, I guess no one really thinks to start typing out a sermon, that's all! ;)

Don't worry, that's not where I'm heading. I was just thinking.

And thinking gets me to wanting to write it all down.

And writing it all down gets me to wanting to share it with the world.

..And what better way to 'share it with the world' than to blog it?

Have you ever been slapped? No, I don't mean literally slapped, as in a "right-in-your-face-stinging" slap..though that is a possiblity too.

Have you ever been slapped?

Brutally, sharply, nails-grating-across-a-chalk-board words that are thrown in your face and hit you like cold water. Or simply a cold attittude from someone whom you get the "hate" attitude from. A cold e-mail. A hurtful blog comment. A distant friend.

..It's no fun, is it? I have recieved my fair share of cold shoulders, or "slaps," and while I know what the Lord says to do when we are provoked, everything inside of me screams insults and "slaps" back. Some people are better at "slapping" than others, too, I've learned. Which makes things all the more precarious.

What to do, what to do? As children of God, we obviously should not respond to slaps and stings with more of the same. Here are a few things that help me to stay on the right track:

First and foremost, cry out to God.

He will honor your wish to follow His words, and will give you the strength you need! 

Count to ten.

Old news, I know. But really, it does help. It's amazing how much calmer you are ten seconds after you recieve a cool remark or open up a sharp e-mail than you would have been had you responded right at your first impulse.

Truly strive to "turn the other cheek."

It's easy to read these words, or think you are going to obey, but when you really stop to think about what it means, it hits you.  

Love unconditionally.

Maybe the slap wasn't really a slap. Or it was, but it was a bad day for someone. Forgive and forget, and never hold grudges. :)

 Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who hurt you.

{Luke 6:28}