When ridiculed, we bless; when persecuted, we endure;
when slandered, we respond gently.
1Cor 4:12-13
Anyone out there have a child that has made an embarrassing statement about someone else based on what they see and in their terms? The beauty in the child's point of view is that it is often a spontaneous comment, but believe me, I have been in settings where it was embarassing. One time the comment was directed at me. I was in Target, and a little boy said loudly: "Mom look, I think she (that would be me) stole a ball!" I was actually very, very pregnant and I still laugh at that. The mom was embarrassed, hushing him up and tried to explain, but the little boy would have none of it. "Oh no" he said, "I know she has a ball there"! That was amusing but we all know there are many times when we have been ridiculued, persecuted and slandered as Christians.
We are hearing some disparaging remarks in the political media. Like some untapped well filled with a lot of anger, name calling and quick judgments are happening all around us. Let's take these scripture words to heart, and try to step away from the emotional vicissitudes, the braggadocio , and let's pray we can make wise decisions. And when we are ridiculed, let us try to bless. When persecuted let's endure and not back down from what we know to be true through our faith. When slandered let's try to reply gently. Let them know we are Christians by our love.
