By: Lyndsay Crews
Oh man, I could hear it coming down the hallway. I took a deep breath and braced myself for yet another refereeing session. Ya know, the session when two kids run up to you, each talking (more like yelling) over the other, and you can barely understand what they’re saying. Then, each child gives a detailed description of what crime the other person has committed. However, when it comes to owning their part, they immediately defend and minimize their actions. Seriously, it’s like a courtroom (on repeat) you don’t want to be a part of. Recite…happy place, happy place, happy place.
Just like kids, when someone wrongs you, you want justice, right? Your prayer may look something like, “Lord, you are just. Please let them get what they deserve.” But when you’ve done something wrong, your prayer sounds different. Something like, “Lord, you are merciful. Please don’t let me get what I deserve.” You want mercy for yourself, right? Loving others as yourself includes showing grace and mercy to someone who doesn’t deserve it.
“Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.” – Colossians 4:6
Whether we’re having a dispute with our husbands or with a stranger, remember as a Christian our response matters. It’s not easy, but God asked us to have conversations full of grace. Pray and ask God for help to be intentionally kind today with our responses despite how we’re treated.