StemCell Therapy

We are afforded opportunities daily to be gracious and merciful. It is a superpower to be embraced: the ability to treat someone who offended you with compassion; choosing to be kind and forgiving.

Matthew 5:9, the Messiah declares, Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the sons of God.

Yet, how does this impact the exchange when the store clerk gives you a hard time with a return; when that car in front of you turns abruptly without signaling; or when a friend betrays your confidence and shares your personal matters with others.

We are afforded opportunities daily to be gracious and merciful. It is a superpower to be embraced: the ability to treat someone who offended you with compassion; choosing to be kind and forgiving. We must resist the knee-jerk reaction to respond in anger as the quick go-to emotion. We are called to seek peace over confusion.

Notice Jesus did not say blessed are the peacekeepers! A peacekeeper seeks to sustain peace by evading conflict and would usually attempt to steer clear of different positions to keep others content. A peacemaker is someone committed to resolving inner and outer chaos in order to establish peace with others and within themselves.

One can be a peacemaker even in protesting seeking to make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. (Ephesians 4:3)

Jesus was a peacemaker but notice: He never avoided conflict. By His example, we can speak truth to power with appropriate passion and constraint. In fact, peacemaking is grace and mercy in action. A peacekeeper may have false illusions that everything is fine because of the absence of tension and conflict. However, that does not mean all is well. Neuropathy is a medical condition that can be masked by numbness; likewise one can be spiritually numb to the challenges among them.

A friend, Candys Mayo, shared Learn the difference between a leader and an instigator. Leaders deposit into the community that they serve, they spread a positive and encouraging message. They might even call you out on something you have done, but they do so privately and in a way that teaches and doesn't degrade. Thats agitation which is different from instigation. An instigator casts judgment, spreads rumors, negativity and withdraws energy from everyone else because they truly lack value, substance and creativity. They have to withdraw from others to cover up their own insecurities. Be a leader. Teach, don't tear down.

Michael Jacksons Man in the Mirror, with socially- conscious infused lyrics, If you want to make the world a better place, take a look at yourself and make a change!

You and I must foster environments of reconciliation where persons beyond race, gender, sexual orientation and faith can have civil, candid and courageous conversations about real differences as well as real agreements with the goal of establishing genuine relationships.

Who would disagree that our civil life is diminishing, especially in the political arena? When did it become standard for political discourse to turn into venomous and vitriol rancor? Who decided that insults are more potent than ideas? Hatred and discrimination should have no place in a civil society. Please realize this message is not meant to target any one individual as much as sharing a hope that we reject every act which demeans and derides others.

Can I make a personal pitch for civility? Let's agree to pledge to be more positive and polite while also having the willingness to confront offensive words with corrective action. Silence about incivility is not golden. Samuel Johnson, a philosopher once said When the forms of civility are violated, there remains little hope of a return to kindness or decency."

Understand, God is not going to hold others responsible for your decisions or responses to their actions. I often reflect upon the message was found written on the wall in Mother Teresa's home for children in Calcutta:

People are often unreasonable, irrational, and self-centered. Forgive them anyway.If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives. Be kind anyway.If you are successful, you will win some unfaithful friends and some genuine enemies. Succeed anyway.If you are honest and sincere people may deceive you. Be honest and sincere anyway.What you spend years creating, others could destroy overnight. Create anyway.If you find serenity and happiness, some may be jealous. Be happy anyway.The good you do today, will often be forgotten. Do good anyway.Give the best you have, and it will never be enough. Give your best anyway.In the final analysis, it is between you and God. It was never between you and them anyway.

Matthew 5: 43-44 reflects that People say love your neighbor and hate your enemy but I tell you to love your enemies and pray for anyone who mistreats you. Stop focusing on those you perceive are against you. In fact, loving your neighbor is easy-peasy! Its loving and praying for those who dislike you that is the real exercise. In many ways, treat your friend and your enemies with equal compassion, love and concern. After all, that's how God operates.

Notice its not about your feelings. Nor, should you feel good about having an enemy. However, it is always a decision of your will to respond proactively instead of reactively. Continuing this behavior as part of your lifestyle may ultimately result in that enemy becoming a friend.

Bishop Timothy J. Clarke First Church of God in Columbus references Psalms 23:5 to assert The Lord prepares a table before me in the presence of my enemies. Stop looking at your enemies and start focusing on your table. My table has love, mercy, provision, peace blessing! Why should I focus on my enemies where there is so much on my table?

So you dont have to force a smile or mutter softly as not to be heard to keep the peace. Own them but dont keep them! Those feelings when given the One full of grace is bright enough to melt in the light of His mercy as you endure and keep the faith.

Rev. Lewis W. Macklin II is the lead pastor of Holy Trinity Missionary Baptist Church, chaplain for the Youngstown Police Department and coordinator of the Mahoning Valley African American Male Wellness Walk. He resides in Youngstown with Dorothy, his partner in marriage and ministry. They share the love and joy of 5 children and 6 grandchildren.

All biblical references cited are New International Version unless otherwise noted.

See the original post:
KEEPING THE FAITH | Even when it's hard, love your enemies - Mahoning Matters

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