What do you do when someone wrongs you?

That’s the question that I’ve been thinking about today. This afternoon I had an unpleasant encounter with a worker at our local library. My younger brother and sister were there and they both ended up in tears. When I left the building I was unhappy with the way we had been treated. I was angry and upset. I had to go let off some steam.

When I got home I had a chance to think about what had just transpired. I wanted to go back to the library and yell at the man at the counter. I wanted to tell him what I really thought. But at the same time, the Holy Spirit was tugging at my conscience, reminding me of a verse from Luke.

“Whoever hits you on the cheek, offer him the other also; and whoever takes away your coat, do not withhold your shirt from him either.” (Luke 6:29) 

Wow. This is not an easy thing to practice. It’s against human nature to let someone walk all over you. The more I thought about it, the more I realized how true this verse really is. In his most trying moments before the crucifixion, when Jesus was being slandered and His name dragged through the mud, He stood there saying nothing. Could I have done that? Probably not. Think about how much it would hurt my witness if I were to explode on the worker who belittled me and called me names at the library. That wouldn’t be acting like Christ. He wouldn’t have done that. He would have turned the other cheek.

Turning the other cheek likely won’t make you feel better. It’s hard. Then again, is anything about following Jesus easy? Turning the other cheek is a way of putting someone else before your self, adopting complete humility. Meditate on Luke 6:29. It’s a great verse with an uncomfortable truth. Ask God how you might be able to use this in your life this week. God bless.