Keeping short accounts makes for a life full of peace. And that is a truth that will never change.
Several years ago, my husband and I became aware that a couple in our church had a problem with us. We were shocked and surprised to learn of the situation and saddened it had been happening for so long.
An uneasy feeling set in (me being the chronic harmony-needing/people-pleaser-girl that I am). It’s the same feeling that always consumes me until there is peace–kind of a combo version of early nausea and escalating anxiety. I know it’s crazy, and I often wish I wasn’t this way … But. I. am.
So … we sat on the new info for a bit, talking and praying about what to do. But we knew. We knew immediately what we had to do. And within 24 hours we called and they graciously agreed to meet with us to talk about the conflict.
During that meeting, we heard their view of us—one we never realized or intended to portray. And they heard from us how it was never our intention for things to have come across that way. We were able to explain and clarify our position on several points, and most importantly, we were able to apologize for the hurt we caused. And they understood and apologized too. And a long-needed bridge of peace was forged that day.
Matthew 5:25-26 (ESV) Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are going with him to court, lest your accuser hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you be put in prison. Truly, I say to you, you will never get out until you have paid the last penny.
Jesus tells us to not be angry with our brother. To initiate peace with anyone who has a problem with us. And to humble ourselves and settle the matter quickly.
Even if we think it’s their fault. Because maturity and wisdom help us realize we aren’t perfect, and there’s always something we can acknowledge—something we need to be forgiven for.
And there’s danger if we don’t settle a matter quickly. Anger and bitterness and resentment will grow, and we’re subject to a prison–one that won’t let us out until we’ve suffered and agonized–until we’ve paid the full price for our foolish refusal to pursue peace.
Keeping a short account with others means we don’t leave things undone. We don’t let disagreements linger or bitterness grow. And by doing that, we stay out of prison and instead choose a life full of peace, every single time.
Have you ever realized someone was upset with you? How did you handle it?
How do you overcome the temptation to be angry instead of humble?
Continuing on in memorizing the Sermon on the Mount, with Ann and this community. Join us?
This week on to Matthew 5:27-28 (ESV)…
{WEEK 13} Matthew 5:27-28 (ESV) You have heard that it was said, “You shall not commit adultery,” but I say to you that whoever looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart. y h h t i w s y s n c a b i s t y t w l a a w w l i h a c a w h i h h
Other posts in this series:
~Memorizing the Sermon on the Mount ~For When You Want to Know How to Really Teach {Week 1} ~For When You Need to Quit Performing to Earn God’s Love & Blessing {Week 2} ~When You Long to be Satisfied and Supremely Happy {Week 3} ~For When Memorizing is Intimidating and Change is a Challenge {Week 4} ~For When You Don’t Fit in and You’re Not Feeling Accepted {Week 5} ~Because You Are Meant to BE the Flavor {Week 6} ~We ARE the Light of the World {Week 7} ~All Has Been Accomplished! The New Covenant Has Come {Week 8} ~For When You Think It’s Only About Following the Rules {Week 9} ~Because It’s All About the Illustrations & Their Principles {Week 10} ~For When You Encounter Prickly People {Week 11}Continuing on, in the counting of One Thousand Gifts {#1501-1515} with Ann and this community, and the Joy Dare of 2012…with June’s printable.
#1501 A new goal to achieve
#1502 Summertime swimming with the kids
#1503 Lunch with a friend
#1504 A mentor who focuses and inspires me
#1505 Platform and the wisdom he gives
#1506 Dreaming and crafting my mission and focus
#1507 Birds singing in the morning sun and Cool air on a morning run
#1508 Garage sales with my husband…and homeschool finds
#1509 The new world of Pinterest
#1510 The unrelenting running encouragement of a friend
#1511 Cuddles and stories by the fire
#1512 VBS this week
#1513 Curriculum chatting with co-op friends
#1514 Afternoon quiet time
#1515 The gift of His Word
