Friday, March 8, 2013

Friday’s Musings: Don’t be Vindictive!


Colossians 3:13 Bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.

Mary Jane and Trudy were good friends until Trudy made a decision that Mary Jane disagreed with.  Now Mary Jane has distanced herself and has no sympathy for any of Trudy’s difficulties.  The decision was actually a matter that was not any of Mary Jane’s business.  I really wasn’t sure how to advise my friend who brought this situation to me.  She is caught in the middle of her two friends.  She doesn’t feel comfortable telling Mary Jane that her attitude is not very Christ like but that’s how she feels.  I finally asked her to try to open up the conversation with Mary Jane and ask what she hoped to gain by giving Trudy the cold shoulder.  I have watched people with vindictive attitudes lose the respect of others whom they care about.  Jesus preached love and forgiveness. If you hold something against something, ask yourself, what is your attitude accomplishing for anyone and more importantly, what is it accomplishing for the kingdom of God.

Father God, help us to respect other’s rights to their opinions and the decisions they make.  Help us to understand that none of us makes perfect decisions every time. Sometimes there is no optimal choice available.  Help us also to realize that we may not have all of the information we would need to make a fair assessment of someone’s motivations and actions.  We asked in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Have a blessed weekend,
Paige

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