I thought there was a moral, ethical, and Biblical command to be nice to everyone. The definition of “nice” included bending over until they walked all over you, giving help when needed no matter how frivolous they were with their own resources, and without any regard for how they treated you or anyone else. Somehow, we ignored injustice, injury could remain unresolved, and the pushy always got their way.
It is hard to stand long with this approach.
What do you do when others at work pursue a course of action that you believe is unfair to others. Is there an answer when someone is unjustly hurt? Do you and I have a responsibility when discrimination hits an individual?
During the past few days, I have encountered two different scenarios. The second, and more obvious, will play out in the coming months with my team. The questions are difficult and complex, however answers are there for the taking if I deal with the first problem. The first problem is how I treat and respond to my self.
“Why should you allow strangers to take advantage of you?” (Proverbs 5.10) I should not, even if the stranger is the person I most often hate, my self!
I have a hard time maintaining my own standing with myself. I know too many details. I know about the obvious failures, the hidden desires, and the unspoken comments. With this information, I find it hard to forgive myself and move on. I work hard at disciplining myself and fail. I get up and repeat the cycle again and then yet again, it is never ending. Consequently, I know with certainty that God does not, cannot love me as I am. I am convinced that I am worthless and a failure; my prime responsibilities are in covering up this fact so nobody will ever know.
I am so totally wrong!
Today, I will make a fresh decision to accept God's mercy, love, and grace. God will deal with the stranger within; my job is to stand tall in love through Him.
