1 Peter 3:8-9

Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. 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 3:8-9

Dear Jesus,

Sad to say, my first instinct when someone insults me is to return the favor. Having grown up in a large family smack dab in the middle of a verbally active society, I have even refined the craft of verbal retaliation. I can easily the see the logic of being sympathetic and compassionate to people who avoid hurting me. But to be sympathetic and compassionate to someone who just jabbed me? That's very difficult. There's no question in my mind that it's what you want. Lord, put a bridle on my tongue and make me think long and hard before I respond to insults. Give me the supernatural love I need to speak blessing to an insulting family member or neighbor. When I dare to respond so well, enable them to be changed by the amazing grace they just received from you through me.

Amen

Pastor Don Patterson

Unconditional love makes one love others without discriminating against bad behavior.