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The Ministry of Health and Healing
Whatever others may think of us or do to us, it need not disturb our
oneness with Christ, the fellowship of the Spirit. “What credit is it if,
when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But when
you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable
before God.”
1 Peter 2:20
.
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Do not retaliate. So far as you can do so, remove all cause for
misunderstanding. Avoid the appearance of evil. Without sacrificing
principle, do all in your power to settle peacefully your differences
with others. “‘If you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember
that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there
before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother,
and then come and offer your gift.’”
Matthew 5:23, 24
.
If impatient words are spoken to you, never reply in the same
spirit. Remember that “a soft answer turns away wrath.”
Proverbs
15:1
. And there is wonderful power in silence. Words spoken in
reply to one who is angry sometimes serve only to exasperate. But
anger met with silence, in a tender, forbearing spirit, quickly dies
away.
Under a storm of stinging, faultfinding words, keep your 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 precious promises,
such as these:
“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
Romans 12:21
.
“Commit your way to the Lord, trust also in Him, and He shall
bring it to pass. He shall bring forth your righteousness as the light,
and your justice as the noonday.”
Psalm 37:5, 6
.
“‘There is nothing covered that will not be revealed, nor hidden
that will not be known.’”
Luke 12:2
.
“You have caused men to ride over our heads; we went through
fire and through water; but You brought us out to rich fulfillment.”
Psalm 66:12
.
We are prone to look to our associates and other humans 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 what a mistake it is to make flesh
our strength
Jeremiah 17:5
. Let us trust fully, humbly, unselfishly