02.22.13

If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay," says the Lord. Therefore "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink; For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head." - Romans 12:18-20 NKJV. 

For we know Him who said, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay," says the Lord. And again, "The Lord will judge His people." It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. - Hebrews 10:30-31 NKJV. 

"You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you." - Matthew 5:43-44 NKJV. 

But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil. Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful. - Luke 6:35-36 NKJV. 

Mark Hussey aka Dogg has been fired! He was fired after he uploaded a video of himself. Now what terrible, horrible thing has the Dogg done? He videoed himself being mean on purpose. The Dogg is, no was, a snowplow driver plowing the streets of Lowell, Massachusetts for a private contractor. He not only blocked driveways, covered up cars, but he appeared to enjoy every bit of it. Now Dogg says he was just doing his job and only made the video after he had been slaving away for 22 hours straight. But when you hear someone laughing as they undo the hours of work you have done clearing your driveway, it is a little irritating! I'm not sure how I would react to something like that. We don't have as much snow here, but we are used to neighbors plowing our driveways and helping us dig out instead of making things worse. It appears that Mark will have to find another career path now, which at the age of 47 may be hard to do. Wait, maybe he can go into politics! His campaign slogan can be: "I'm the Dogg, and I'm mean enough to stand up to those !@%!#! in Washington." (boston.cbs.local.com 02.22.13) 

Most likely every person at some time or another will be on the receiving end of someone being mean on purpose. How do you cope with it when it happens to you? The natural human response when someone does something bad to you, is to lash out in anger toward them. That anger is unleashed sometimes verbally, sometimes physically and sometimes in other punishing ways including financial. The Dogg has experienced a loss of employment as many have lashed out in response to his meanness. 

How should we as Christians respond to those who are less than kind toward us? Jesus says we are to...love them. Love is probably not what first came to mind when homeowners in Lowell, Mass. saw their driveways covered in snow. But Jesus says we should love them. Jesus goes further by saying that we should bless them. Not only should we bless them, we are to do good to them. And...we are to pray for them. Before you completely throw up your hands and say that you can never do that, try it. In doing what God wants us to do, we can find joy. God promises, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay." Release the anger, knowing that it is not up to you to lash out at those who have wronged you. Rejoice that God is going to take care of it for you. By giving your desire for revenge to the Lord, you will find peace. 

In our community, a young man has killed his mother in an apparent drug related attack. His sister is not seeking revenge and instead is extending forgiveness. She is praying for her brother and believing that eventually her brother will come to know Jesus as his Savior. This young woman has peace. She has peace in the midst of a terrible, horrible thing. What a powerful witness she has been to all that know of what has happened. You can have peace too. Choose to react to meanness with love, blessing, goodness, and prayer.