1 Peter 3:9
“Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.”
Call it road rage, anger, fury, aggression, wrath, outrage, irritation, or indignation. Isn’t it all classified as the same thing? Whether you’re at a department store, the four-lane, stop light, yield sign, checkout, church house, or schoolhouse, if we are not careful, we will end up in the courthouse awaiting a stay at the jailhouse.
It can be caused by an infant, toddler, tween, teen, spouse, parent, or friend. No one nor nothing is off limits when it is released, and it is usually at the most inopportune time and place. True to fashion, there is a mechanism for release in every crowd, sidewalk, car, business, church, and school – a phone. It’s not just a phone, but a phone that has an up-and-coming YouTuber on it that will stop at nothing to expose anything just to get a hit online. Then all the sudden, it happens: the irreversible moment.
Peter gives us an unbelievable reminder of words God spoke to Abram. Instead of rendering evil for evil, bless. I know this sounds absurd, illogical, irrational, silly, and strange, but every time you bless, you become an heir to a blessing.
From now on, when you are cursed, cut off, forgotten, brushed off, discounted, cheapened, and looked down on, instead of seeking an opportunity of revenge, retribution, or retaliation, take the opportunity to invest in your inheritance. Take time to defuse the situation, keeping the blessings rolling your way. Show an act of kindness in response to violence. Show love in response to hate. Give when others are taking. Be kind to the unkind.
Our prayer for you this week: May your blessing box be overflowing with blessings for you and your family.