One Minute Meditation | Wed, May 28

READ

Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing (I Peter 3:9).

Sometimes we just want to get even. When your mother caught you hitting your brother, you explained, “He hit me first.” It does not end with children. When a fellow sales rep steals one of your biggest accounts, you look to steal one of his. It really isn’t a surprise that “getting even” never gives us much lasting satisfaction. Getting even only exacerbates the situation. God certainly doesn’t call us to repay evil for evil. Two wrongs never make a right. Instead, we are called to “bless” others—even those with whom we have a difficult relationship. Blessings come when we bless others. In other words, when we replace evil actions with good actions, our enemy is forced to consider his next move in a new light. Blessings will come from blessing.

REFLECT

What troubled relationship in your life needs an act of blessing?

RESPOND

Prayer:  Lord, Jesus, You have blessed me in so many ways. Help me to be a blessing to others, especially those who do not see eye-to-eye with me. I pray this in Your loving name.  Amen.