Raise a Harvest of Righteousness
all of you, live in harmony with one another; be compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing." (NIV)
Unlike war, peace can be engaged in by just one spouse to turn the tide.
Consider this story from Moments Together for Couples, by Dennis and Barbara Rainey.
Lou and Linda had a very hectic schedule. Lou was a fourth-year seminary student and together they were raising four children.
They decided to take a break and enjoy a pleasant, romantic evening. Lou was due home at 6:00 pm and Linda got all the kids ready for bed, picked up the babysitter, and at 6:30 pm was beautifully dressed and waiting. But Lou, at the seminary library, became so involved in studying Hebrew that he forgot the time and arrived home at 8:45 pm. By that time Linda had taken the babysitter home.
Lou offered nothing more than a lame "I'm sorry." As they prepared for bed, Linda began to pour out her heart, telling Lou how she had been looking forward to some time together. Then she looked over and saw Lou ... fast asleep.
How did Linda respond? This was a godly woman who knew how to live according to Scripture. The next morning she arose early, put on a favorite neglige and made breakfast, which she served him in bed. Then, to cap it off, she initiated making love!
How did Lou react to Linda's effort to pay back insult with blessing? For the next month, he couldn't do enough to serve her. Her actions had heaped coals of fire on his head and he realized how wrong he had been. It was something of a turning point toward intimacy in their marriage.
The next time you are tempted to return "evil with evil," remember this instruction from Romans 12:18: "As far as it depends on you, live at peace."
You be the one to respond to a wrong done to you with blessing. You be the one to return a put-down with a quiet word or a word spoken in season, not in the heat of the moment.
Instead of thinking "What can I do to hurt him as much as he has hurt me?" think about what you can do to stop the situation from escalating into all-out war. Think about what you can do to bring peace to your marriage and raise a harvest of righteousness.
It might take some getting used to, but peace really can begin with just one person, and you will reap a harvest of righteousness.
About the Author
Claudia Pate is the owner of The Anniversary Shop, an online store dedicated to helping celebrate wedding anniversaries with gifts based on traditional and modern gift themes by year.
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