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Showing posts with the label #wisdom #insight #understanding #grace

Choosing Grace Over Retaliation

by Yvette van Niekerk 1 Thessalonians 5: 15 (NLT) “See that no one pays back evil for evil, but always try to do good to each other and all people.” It's easy to scoff at this verse, especially when we've been wronged. The temptation to retaliate, to escalate the conflict, can be overpowering. How dare they treat me this way? It's maddening, especially when they justify their actions. As a Christian, I find myself at a crossroads. I must resist the urge to repay evil with evil. Instead, I'm called to be gracious and forgiving. Yet, at this moment, I'm struggling. It's tempting to think that 2000 years ago, the Apostle Paul couldn't fathom our modern complexities. But human nature remains constant. The challenge lies in shifting my perspective to see others through God's eyes. I've heard that I have the power to change my behaviour, but goodness, it's a formidable task. The person is a constant presence, a daily wellspring of frustration. So, whe...