Friend, sometimes people are just unkind. Do not take it personal, though it may be hard not to at times. I am sure we could come up with many different types of scenarios as to why they may be the way that they are. Though that is between them and God. What is up to us, is how we respond to their behavior. We can choose retaliation, only fueling the fire. Or we can choose kindness, despite their meanness. Maybe the love we show, can soften the hurt or anger inside themselves. Other times, it is best to politely walk away when we can. For sometimes staying too close to their fire, only does further damage to our soul. Friend, an unkind person spews their hate on people sometimes for reasons we may not understand. I pray wisdom and discernment when faced with difficult people. I pray the courage to handle them with enough grace to not spew anger back and enough love, to pray that they can find their peace in God. May we not stoop to their level. For anger and malice only makes the world hurt more. The best defense against such malicious deeds, is to rise above it with the Lord’s wisdom and pray for the offender and to trust God to handle it. As we head out into this big world my friend, may we take God with us always. For with His help, we can handle the mean that sometimes tries to steal our good. Choose to love them anyway. Hang in there, God has got it.

Erin Fitts-Brower

Luke 6:27-29 NIV

“But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn to them the other also. If someone takes your coat, do not withhold your shirt from them.