By Belinda Young
My little children, let us love not in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth. I John 3:18
If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. Romans 12:18
In your life, you will meet contentious and angry people. They are obstinate and nigh impossible to get along with. If you do not have to live with them, be thankful -- be thankful for the family you have, treasure the blessing you have, and treat them in kindness.
Sometimes this obstinate and angry person is someone in your household that you have to deal with on a daily basis. If this is someone you are teaching or someone under you, do not allow such behavior. If you do not like your children, nobody else is going to like them either. Teach them, instruct them, correct them, and don’t leave them alone with anybody until they have gotten rid of the obstinate attitude.
Other times, this is someone to whom you are supposed to submit to. There is never peace because they are constantly angry and finding fault with everyone. You are provoked to anger, but if you respond in anger, it just gets worse. Or you just give in to the pressure and condone “wrong” to make peace. There are battles you must choose. Some battles are not worth fighting — they are silly and short-lived. Other battles are of great importance — battles regarding principles in the Word of God. These are battles that are not to be overlooked or swapped for peace. They are not won by anger or in-your-face conversations.
They are won by your faithful living for God. It is something you will have to do — many times all alone.
You may have to keep your mouth shut, or you may have to firmly say, “I will or I will not do this thing because I love the Lord, and His Word clearly teaches for this or against this.” You will need wisdom from the Lord to know the right time when “to do” or when “to say” something. James 1:5 says, “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.” Though the atmosphere around you is full of turmoil, you can have a peace in your heart when you are loving the Lord Jesus, feeding on His Word throughout the day, and praying for those in your life who so desperately need help.
This is not something that anybody feels they can master. It is a situation that many have to live in.
Sometimes, it is a spouse that you never would have dreamed would have been that way. Or it is a defiant parent of a young person who has come to know the Lord as their Savior. Live for the Lord; love Him with all your heart. Pray that He will give you the love for this person and the wisdom to help this one though they are “over you.” They may never overcome their anger and bitterness. But you do not have to live with anger and bitterness in your heart. Why would you want to be miserable?
God gives peace in the midst of storms.
Claim His Word and bask in his goodness, though the billows rage. Be content with the little things — which are great things with contentment. Hebrews 13:5 says, “Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.”
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