Do not be over-righteous, neither be over-wise– why destroy yourself? – Ecclesiastes 7:16.
So David pretended to be insane in their presence; and while he was in their hands he acted like a madman, making marks on the doors of the gate and letting saliva run down his beard. – 1 Samuel 21:13.
All Christians long for a life free of persecutions, free from being persecuted by one’s own desires and the desires of others around us. Sometimes, the struggle is as vivid and as real as our own skin. Sometimes comfort is found in the most unexpected places: patience, forgiveness, insanity. As we strive to be sane in all our ways, there are times comfort, long-term comfort is found in what seems to be insane to others:
But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. – Matthew 5:39.
Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be cheated? – 1 Corinthians 6:7b.
It’s not easy to accept being wronged. It’s not easy to accept being cheated. It’s not easy to turn the other face, especially if you weren’t expecting the first slap.
Do not say, “I’ll pay you back for this wrong!” Wait for the LORD, and he will avenge you. – Proverbs 20:22
In life we’ve had our tastes of heaven, and our tastes of hell. When our faith, patience, understanding, expectations are stretched to their limit, the only thing that comes to matter is survival of the situation. Whether we lose or win the battle is no longer of essence, but winning the war is above all. There’s always the “white flag”, to say “Lord, I’ve given up on this situation, please take over.”
Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. – Romans 12:17.
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 12:19.
Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else. – 1 Thessalonians 5:15.
Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. – 1 Peter 3:9.
Some might say this is insane. Well, it is insane. Wouldn’t you rather be insane for the short-term, to be sane for the long-term? Wouldn’t you rather hold your breadth for the short-term, to have fresh air for the long-term?
Pass. Just pass it on to the Lord for His glory. All of it.
Jesus is the well of the living water, the Holy Spirit. 