And the Lord’s servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. — 2 Timothy 2:24
I am overwhelmed by the wisdom of God. One day someone wrote me with a criticism that initially came across to me as sarcastic and rude. The email stung, and my first desire was to lash back with some clever reply of my own.
But the Lord impressed me with the need to bring my hurt and anger to Him, to let Him minister to me in the place where this criticism "got to me." So I just lingered there before the Lord until I felt the freedom to reply with measured words. On one hand, I don’t think the Lord wanted me to be a doormat, but, on the other, I believe He wanted me to write words of encouragement and wisdom.
So I wrote a reply, and got a reply in return. It turns out that the sender was a ministry leader many years my senior. (I didn’t know this before.) I am so glad that I didn’t respond harshly. This was a brother, precious to the Lord, deserving of honor, regardless of whether I agreed with him on this specific issue.
The church can family or it can be a battleground. God, in His wisdom, keeps us family.
Be encouraged!
Dwight
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