Rise Above

 

     I facilitated a women’s Bible study for about seven years.  I remember I was having a bad day. Everything had been going wrong and at the end of that tough day I received an e-mail from a friend questioning some decisions I had made on behalf of this group of 30-40 women..

     My first reaction was to immediately type a response, which I did. The words came easily, contradicting some points and defending my decisions. I paused for just a minute and did not push, “send.”

     If you hear nothing else today, I encourage you to hear this. As Christians, we need each other. During those years, I had some trusted Christian friends that I saw at least twice a week. We prayed together, studied together and went through life together, both good and bad, joy-filled moments and heart-breaking loss. They know me then and now  in such deep ways that I trust them to speak openly and honestly with me.

     And so I shared the e-mail and asked the question. “How should I respond? Like this?” And provided my response. She encouraged me to look deeper into the writer’s words. Don’t look at the supposed criticism, but see what she is really asking.  Does she want to help? Does she want her opinions to matter? Does she want a voice in some decision-making?

      My final response included me asking forgiveness, asking for feedback, asking her to look at some items for me. The response back to me was immediate. A thank you. Thanks for being sensitive to my needs. Thank you for your responsiveness. I am grateful. I am grateful for a God who forgives me consistently, over and over again. I am thankful for Christian friends who speak truth when I need it most. I am thankful the situation de-escalated, rather than escalated. I want to view people through the lens of Christ.

     To rise above my immediate reaction and the kick-right-back response. I want to look a little closer. To pause and give the other person the benefit of the doubt and not be so sensitive and emotional.

      Jesus loves us all. And He not only asks us to love and forgive others. He goes so far as to unabashedly ask us to forgive our enemies and to bless them. Can’t we at least do that for our friends and families?

     Rising above our circumstances. No easy task. Life is hard and we are all so frail. We all hurt and lash out. Can we, instead, be the peacemakers?

Blessed are the peacemakers for they will be called children of God.

Matthew 5:9

If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Romans 12:18

Dear Father,

Rising above the little annoyances and critical thinking is not easy. Show us how to see through to others hearts and guide us to seek peace wherever we go today. Thank you for the friends that speak the truth in love. Show us how to be Jesus to others today.

In His name we pray.

Amen