Sunday, February 20, 2011

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}

8 comments:

  1. I actually wrote a paper in my writing course about this subject last week. Wonderful blog entry, I think it is something that everyone, myself included, need to work on. It's also good to remember that those who hurt us are probably the people who are in most need of our love and prayers. Thank you for your blog entry, it was very encouraging. =)
    Soli Deo Gloria!
    Taylor
    http://examineallthings.blogspot.com

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  2. Great post Lucia! I need to be reminded on these things sometimes. ;)

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  3. Thank you for writting about this, as it is very nice to know that others deal with things like this and you did an excellent job in writting it!=)

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  4. Thanks. I needed to hear that this morning. :)

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  5. I really enjoyed this post. Thanks for sharing.

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  6. Amen! =) ;) Great post, Lucia! That is most definitely true!

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  7. When I was little, I went through phases of being a vet (learned that you have to HURT animals sometime, no way.), Doctor (you have to SEE and SMELL other peoples blood! *shiver*) Artist (but I don't have that artistic drawing touch), Cashier (I learned that get paid poorly), Actress/producer (have I truly grown out'a this one?), Writer (now I don't just want, I DO!) Photographer (accomplished).

    But I had a dream once, and since then haven't forgotten, replaced or cast it aside. I want, no feel needed, as a missionary to Arabs. Who knows, it used to be China for me! But that is my utmost desire, be a missionary.

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  8. I wish there was a "like" button so I could just like. I'm speechless but I like this post. :)

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Aw! Thanks so much for leaving a comment! They make me smile. :)

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