Don’t Fight Back

“But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you” (Luke 6:27 NIV)

Turning the other cheek must be the hardest lesson Jesus taught us.  Most of us would rather tithe 20% than have to swallow our pride and take the brunt of what the world thinks of us.

Yet turning the other cheek is probably the single-most defining attribute about a Christian.  No one really cares how much money we give the church. No one really cares how we treat our spouse or our kids or our boss.  No one really cares about how we handle our finances.  The world wants to see how we respond when we’re attacked.  The world is watching and waiting with bated breath to find out who we really are when push comes to, well…shove.

The key to who we are to the rest of the world lies in the moment after we’re attacked, after we’re wronged, after we’re disgraced.  What is our first response? Do we shove back, or do we take a deep breath and understand that this is simply another test of our will.  We must take that stand as Christians – that stand to not fight back. No one cares why we’re right or why our point is valid; a fighting Christian is no Christian at all to the world. So the next time we’re faced with a slap across the face; try to not say anything, just turn your cheek and see how fast your aggressor’s attitude changes knowing you’re not fighting back.

LORD, give me the strength to not fight back; even when I’m right.  God, help me keep my cool and release my anxiety, fear and anger the next time it rises to the boiling point.  I want them to see you, not my ugliness.