In Contact with Others
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who is angry sometimes serve only to exasperate; but anger met with
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silence, in a tender, forbearing spirit, quickly dies away.
Under a storm of stinging faultfinding words, keep the mind stayed
upon the word of God. Let mind and heart be stored with God’s
promises. If you are ill-treated or wrongfully accused, instead of
returning an angry answer, repeat to yourself the precious promises:
“Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.” [
Romans
12:21
.]
“Commit thy way unto the Lord: trust also in Him; and He shall
bring it to pass. And He shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light,
and thy judgment as the noon-day.” [
Psalm 37:5, 6
.]
“There is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; neither hid,
that shall not be known.” [
Luke 12:2
.]
“Thou hast caused men to ride over our heads; we went through
fire and through water: but Thou broughtest us out into a wealthy
place.” [
Psalm 66:12
.]
We are prone to look to our fellow-men for sympathy and uplifting,
instead of looking to Jesus. In His mercy and faithfulness, God often
permits those in whom we place confidence to fail us, in order that we
may learn the folly of trusting in man, and making flesh our arm. Let
us trust fully, humbly, unselfishly, in God. He knows the sorrows that
we feel to the depths of our being, but which we cannot express. When
all things seem dark and unexplainable, remember the words of Christ,
“What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter.”
[
John 13:7
.]
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Study the history of Joseph and of Daniel. The Lord did not prevent
the plottings of men who sought to do them harm; but He caused all
these devices to work for good to His servants, who amid trial and
conflict preserved their faith and loyalty.
So long as we are in the world, we shall meet with adverse in-
fluences. There will be provocations to test the temper; and it is by
meeting these in a right spirit that the Christian graces are developed.
If Christ dwells in us, we shall be patient, kind, and forbearing, cheer-
ful amid frets and irritations. Day by day and year by year we shall
conquer self, and grow into a noble heroism. This is our allotted task;
but it cannot be accomplished without help from Jesus, resolute de-
cision, unwavering purpose, continual watchfulness, and unceasing
prayer. Each one has a personal battle to fight. Not even God can make