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In December, when I was still living in a nursing home in Ontario, I walked up to a lady who looked sad, and I gave her a hug. For some reason, she threw a cup of water at me. I'm not sure exactly how it all happened, but a few moments later, this lady was laying on the floor and most of the staff were crowding around making sure she was okay. Why were they paying such attention to that mean lady, when I was the one who was soaking wet? It soon became apparent that they thought I had pushed her ... well, maybe I did. I mean, she was mean to me when all I was trying to do was give her a hug!
Fast forward to April. I had moved to a different nursing home, this time some 4000 kilometers away in Alberta. I also see it as my duty to "fix" the furniture. When I see a table or chair "out of place", I moved it! Well this one day at breakfast time, I saw this lady in a wheelchair, and I saw a table full of food, so I decided to move the table to the lady! What I didn't realize was that there was already a lady sitting at that table eating that food. That's what happens when your vision is full of holes! The lady who had been sitting at the table that I moved lit into me with her nails, and before it was all finished, both my arms and my face were covered with scratches. I tried to push her, to teach that human "cat" a lesson! But before I could, I was removed from the scene by staff...
The thing is, I don't want to be mean to them just because they are mean to me. Deep inside, I know I'm supposed to be an example of Jesus and "turn the other cheek"... but something in me just takes over!
I am happy to report, however, that Jesus is starting to shine through me again. A few weeks later, I was walking down the hall and I saw a man who looked very tired. I went over to give him a hand, but he turned around and slugged me in the face! I stood there for a moment, bewildered, but this time I just turned and walked away. And this time the staff all came to me to make sure I was okay!
I may have dementia, but it would seem God isn't finished growing me into His image!
I suspect each one of you knows how it feels to be treated unfairly, and the human reaction is to fight back. When someone hits us, we want to hit back. When someone cuts us off in traffic, we want to honk and yell. When someone is responsible for us not getting that raise, we get angry, and we have trouble forgiving. When someone cheats us out of something that is rightfully ours, we want to report them to the authorities, maybe even set out a lawsuit against them.
This is not, however, the "Jesus Way". Jesus said, "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. And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you." (Matthew 5:39-42 NIV).
And Jesus didn't just say pretty words, either. He lived them. Though innocent, He didn't resist arrest, nor did He fight back as He was beaten and hung on a cross: "He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth." (Isaiah 53:7 NIV).
No, I don't think Jesus would have pushed the lady who threw water on me. He would have walked away from the man who hit me, and I praise Him for helping me to follow in His steps. And believe me, resisting the urge to fight back actually brings ... peace! For we know that those who treat us unfairly will be judged by a Judge who is far more fair than we are, because He knows everything! "For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.” (Eccl. 12:14 NIV)
What about you? How will you respond the next time you are treated unfairly? Will you fight back? Or will you follow the "Jesus Way"?
Inspired by Rob Chaffart
Founder, Answers2Prayer Ministries
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