That parking space was mine. I’d waited for it. Then that big red SUV zipped in and took it. Grr.
The lady with the full shopping cart who cuts in front of you in the grocery line. The boss who takes credit for your hard work. The soccer coach who sidelines your child for more than her fair share of the game.
Life presents lots of situations when we lose what’s rightfully ours. The human instinct is to fight for what we’ve lost. But what does God want us to do?
Several thousand years ago, Isaac built a well in the desert. His neighbors took it. He moved away and built another. His neighbors took that one too. He had every right to be upset and fight for that well.
He didn’t. Isaac moved away and built another well.
This time no one took it. This time the leader of the enemy acknowledged, “‘We saw clearly that the Lord was with you’” (Gen. 26:28), and he begged for a peace treaty.
Ironically, by backing down, Isaac won. By refusing to fight, Isaac gained peace. By trusting God to provide, Isaac allowed God’s glory to shine through.
Perhaps Jesus knew what He was talking about when He said, “‘Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also’” Matthew 6:39.
Of course, this is much easier to say than to do. How can you implement this concept today?
Labels: arguments, Isaac, rights
