What is your reaction when someone says something rude or hurtful to you? The world will tell us, "Keep your friends close, and your enemies closer," (Sun-tzu, Chinese general and strategist, 400 BC). The Bible tells us that we are not fighting against flesh and blood and we must bless those who hurt or "do evil," to us, (Ephesians 6:12; Romans 12:19-21). How can this be? I see the person standing in front of me--or on the phone or where ever--saying hurtful things to me. How can you say they are not flesh and blood? Moreover, how can you ask me to bless them?
A preacher once said that when we are hungry, angry, stressed, or tired, we are more prone to putting our foot in our mouth than to hearing the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Regrettably, words, once said, can't be taken back; they can only be forgiven. The next time someone comes at you in a rude or hurtful manner, ask yourself, do I really think they mean to do me personal harm? Probably not. And even if so, what good will it do you to try to fight them? Don't fight fire with fire; fight fire with water. Begin to pray blessings over them and see how the Holy Spirit will change their heart and their tongue. A word of caution: change doesn't typically happen overnight, so keep praying blessings over them and feel the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, growing inside of you.
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