By Bella
Read: Leviticus 13:1-59, Mark 6:1-29, Psalm 39:1-13, Proverbs 10:10
I said to myself, “I will watch what I do and not sin in what I say.
I will hold my tongue when the ungodly are around me.”
But as I stood there in silence – not even speaking of good things – the turmoil within me grew worse.
The more I thought about it, the hotter I got, igniting a fire of words:
Psalm 39:1-3
Relate:
I recently had a problem with a friend and they did some very hateful and mean things to me as a result of that. They told everyone I manipulated, gaslighted, was rude and disrespectful to him and it wasn’t true. This person was really angry with me and used their anger against me. They posted about it and spread so many rumors. After hearing about all of this, the rumors, the name calling, and the posts, I decided to say hateful things about this person to my friends. I said he was a horrible person, he doesn’t deserve happiness, he deserves to suffer. I said really bad things about this person after hearing about what he did and what was going on. I even wrote him a message telling him to stop and I was mean in the message. As a result of my anger, I let unwholesome talk come out of my mouth that does not honor God, nor my parents.
React:
As much as I was hurt about what happened, I needed to learn that my anger is powerful. My anger can make me do things that I regret. Next time, if this ever happens to me, I need to just let it go and not let it consume me. If I am so upset about it, I can talk to the person if needed. I don’t need to speak badly about this person to my friends because they are children of God as well as me. Even though I get angry and hated on people, they are still children of God and I must love them like God loves me. No more unwholesome talk come out of my mouth. I want to honor God and my parents with what I say to others.
Respond:
Dear heavenly Father,
Please help me to have self control with my emotions and anger. I know I have done things in the past that I can’t take back. Please help me to remember that everyone is human, everyone does things they don’t want to. Please just help me show grace to everyone and remember that everyone is a child of God and I must love everyone. If I ever get upset or angry with someone, please do not let any unwholesome talk come out of my mouth. Please speak louder in my life and help me to do better in that area. Lastly, help me to relax and take a breath before I say something when I get angry.
Amen
Nearly all posts in February and March have as special guest authors the Juniors from the Christian Living class at Faith Academy.
THE RIVER WALK 
My dear friend, I fully appreciate the angst you went through with what your friend did to you and the reaction you had. Hurt people hurt people. But I also value your understanding of what Jesus is calling you to do and your faithfulness in doing it. How I wish I was more responsive to truth than reactive to circumstances! But that is the space of life we as followers of Jesus find ourselves in. I’m grateful for your authenticity.
We’ve all been there, and will probably be there again, though we endeavor not to be. I thank Him for His Mercy and Grace everyday. Keep pressing on to the higher calling. Are you in your twenties?
I can relate…
Christ tells us we are to love both our neighbors and enemies. Because often they are both the same. – G.K. Chesterton
And we can consider our neighbor to be our friend. We in striking back, as it is the knee jerk reaction when we are attacked, though it satisfies in the moment in truth hurts us more than the one who offended us. Leave all to God and merrily go on our way.
-Alan
It’s hard to let go when unjustly treated though, but reactions and clap backs make us the very thing we detest.