A reader sent the following amusing story that contains a much-needed spiritual application.
“I was in the McDonalds drive-through this morning, and the young lady behind me leaned on her horn because I was taking too long to place my order. (I was ordering something different and had to check the menu.) ‘Take the high road,’ I thought to myself. So, when I got to the first window, I paid for her order along with my own.
“The cashier must have told her what I had done because as we moved forward in line, the driver leaned out her window, sheepishly waved to me, and mouthed ‘Thank you.’ She was clearly embarrassed I had repaid her rudeness with kindness.
“When I got to the second window, I showed the clerk both of the receipts, took the food I ordered as well as the food ordered by the woman behind me, and drove away. The rude woman was forced to go back to the end of the line and start all over!
“The lesson? Don’t honk your horn at seniors!
(P.S. I’ve been looking in four different Bible versions to find the verse that says what I did was acceptable in certain circumstances, but for some reason, I haven’t located it yet!) ?”
I admit I burst out laughing when I read that story. It’s a humorous but honest appraisal of what we instinctively want to do when someone offends us. We look for clever ways to get even. When our sense of justice is violated, we intuitively want to reinstate the Old Testament principle of “an eye for an eye.” She’s impatient with your small delay, so make her go around a second time and see how she likes that!
But the difficult challenge for those who follow Christ is to be like Jesus, who “When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate…” (Peter 2:23). Rather than apportion vengeance on those who crucified him, Jesus prayed, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34). He chose to be the victim of injustice rather than mount a counter-attack.
The Bible challenges us to follow in Jesus’ steps. “Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord” (Romans 12:17-19).
This is one of many areas where Christ-followers are challenged to live contrary to our feelings. Our carnal nature screams, “Find a way to get even! They embezzled from you; steal an equal amount back. She humiliated you; make her eat humble pie. He wrote something derogatory and untruthful about you; settle the score!”
However, every time we try to administer justice, we mess it up because we’re biased, and our perspective is so limited. As a result, the problem is exacerbated, and the result is increased alienation. What if, instead of going through the fast-food line again, the impatient woman chases after you in a rage? Then you might find yourself in real trouble. Even if she doesn’t pursue you, you later feel guilty and realize you accomplished nothing.
William James, “The Father of American psychology,” said, “If you act the way you wish you felt, you’ll eventually feel the way you act.” I’ve quoted that often because William James unintentionally emphasized a Biblical point that is so needed. The Christian is to be guided by Scripture commands, not human emotions. It’s much easier to act yourself into a way of feeling than to feel yourself into a way of acting.
When someone wounds you, restrain your anger and suppress your instinct to retaliate. Act contrary to your feelings. Go out of your way to express kindness to the person who offended you. Pay for their lunch and drive on without impounding their Big Mac. Send a complimentary note. Put an arm around their shoulder. Encourage their children. Or just remain calm and smile. It will amaze you not only how “a gentle answer turns away wrath…” (Proverbs 15:1), but how quickly your own anger subsides, your desire for revenge recedes, and you feel a sense of well-being.
“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” (Romans 12:21).
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