Press Charges?
Theme of the Week: Forgive That Jerk?
John Bevere
Thursday, October 6, 2005
 1 of 1
Key Bible Verse: Don't say, "Now I can pay them back for all their meanness to me! I'll get even! ( Proverbs 24:29). Bonus Reading: Psalm 37:1-40
While pastoring a church in Dallas, my friend Al Brice preached from 1 Peter on how to respond to abuse. Afterwards, a member (I'll call him Brian) approached him. "Pastor," he said, "I'm a junior executive for a large insurance company. I was next in line to become vice president. All my fellow employees know I'd earned the promotion. But when the position came open, the company gave it to another man."
"Why was that?" Pastor Brice asked.
"Because the other man is white and I'm black. That's discrimination, Pastor, and I believe I can prove it. I was all set to start legal action this week. But now your message has messed me up!"
"Do you want to do it God's way or your way?" Pastor Brice asked.
"God's way," Brian answered without hesitation. "That's why I'm talking to you. Would you please pray with me?" They bowed their heads and committed Brian's case into the hands of his Father.
Next morning at work, Brian went to the office of the fellow who'd been promoted, stuck out his hand, and said with a smile, "Congrats on your promotion. I want you to know that I'm going to be your best worker." [continued 10/7]
—John Bevere in How to Respond When You Feel Mistreated
My Response: A time when God's Word "messed up" my plans was …
Thought to Apply: Forgiveness is surrendering my right to hurt you for hurting me.—ARCHIBALD HART (psychologist)
Adapted from How to Respond When You Feel Mistreated (Nelson, 2004) by permission.
Copyright © 2005 by the author or Christianity Today International/Men of Integrity magazine.Click here for reprint information on Men of Integrity. 1 of 1
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When I've been wronged, Lord, I'm naturally bent on retaliation. But You've said to leave that to You. Help me to submit my case to You.
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