Show Your Strength
The evil inside us rises when we are attacked. We want to FIGHT. We want to make the playing field “equal.” We think that slapping back is justified because they slapped first. We want them to KNOW we are not weak, and that we don’t take sh*t from anyone. We want to show we are STRONG.
Friend, I know how difficult it can be to ignore this anger, rage, evil, etc. that we feel within. We want so badly to fight back, to justify our evil/wrong actions because of what happened to us. But, I am starting to learn something new. Something that I used to refused to do for so long because I thought it would make me appear weak.
Over time, I have learned that this idea is the complete opposite of weak. That this takes STRENGTH to follow through with.
Listen, I get that you might be someone who does not let people walk all over you. I respect that, I understand your stance, I am like that too. So, before you continue.. know that I am not asking you to lay on the ground and let your enemies walk on top of you. What I am asking is that you open your mind to changing the way you think. That you carefully consider your words and actions in each scenario you walk into. That you take some time to truly contemplate this idea.
This is it: turn your other cheek to evil.
Now, I bet you feel the need to fight back in most cases and think I am crazy for supporting the idea of "turning the other cheek" - I know I do. And, apparently our ancestors struggled with this concept too because God found the need to put it in the Bible for generations and generations to come to read.
Matthew 5:38-42:
38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’[h] 39 But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. 40 And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. 41 If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. 42 Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.
Friend, I get it.. easier said than done - when someone slaps your cheek, you immediately want to slap back. But, what would happen if you turn the other cheek and let them slap that one too? I mean, can you imagine the look on their face? This person is looking for a fight, wanting to make you angry, asking you to slap them back so they can justify their own anger.
But instead, you calmly turn your head and let them slap your other cheek.
This will be difficult to do. Trust me, I get it! I struggle with holding back my own hand from slapping, and I am hesitant when it comes to turning my head for them to slap the other cheek.
It is a struggle. It is against our nature. It isn’t something we view as strength.
I promise you - turning your cheek is not the easy way out of a situation - slapping back IS. Be strong. Show you are brave. Have faith in Jesus. Turn the other cheek. When you find yourself in a situation where you want to fight back, when someone does you wrong, when you get overloaded with anger and want to lunge. Ask yourself, “What is the Jesus thing to do?”
Remember: usually the Jesus thing to do, is not the easy thing to do.