This is something that I often forget when the heat is on.
I feel like I need to step in and take control of the “wall” I’ve just hit. I think that by wagging my bony finger in that wall’s face, it will move or, better yet, bow to my commanding voice!
I think that I’m showing the wall who is the boss! I’m convincing the wall of my superior logic or dazzling it with my lightning speed and clever comebacks. I’m expecting that the wall will crumble at my feet or cower in the corner—but instead, the wall looms ever bigger as I hit it even harder.
The problem is, when I try to control the wall, I’ve already lost the battle. The only thing I’m convincing the wall of is that I’m reckless with my words, and my emotions. Simply put, I’m out of control.
What I need to remember when I feel up against the wall, is that controlling the wall is NOT my only option.
I need to remember that I have a choice to turn a chaotic, out-of-control situation into one that is yielded—in control—because I can yield myself to God who is always in control.
Christ wants me to intentionally choose to surrender to His power so that He can bring His grace, peace, and redemptive touch to the chaotic situation.
What does that look like, you say?
It looks like …
- A humble admission of my failure.
- A whispered prayer rather than a word spoken in anger.
- A focus on what I can control, instead of trying to control what I can’t.
- A willingness to examine myself, rather than examine my offender’s actions.
- An offer of forgiveness, even if my offender never admits his or her wrong.
- A gentle, loving example that perseveres through this unfair moment—shouldering the wrong, even absorbing the wrong—because that’s what Christ would do.
“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” –Romans 12:21 (NIV)
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” –Galatians 5:22 (NIV)
This is an updated edition of a post originally published on Worthy Bible Studies
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