"Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. Do your part to live in peace with everyone, as much as possible. Dear friends, never avenge yourselves. Leave that to God. For it is written, `I will take vengeance; I will repay those who deserve it,' says the Lord. Instead, do what the Scriptures say: `If your enemies are hungry, feed them. If they are thirsty, give them something to drink, and they will be ashamed of what they have done to you.' Don't let evil get the best of you, but conquer evil by doing good." Romans 12:17-21 (NLT)

About the time I feel like I am where God wants me to be He shows me I am not near there yet.

As Christians we are only striving to become more like Jesus, though we know it is an accomplishment we can never achieve. Knowing, though, should never prevent us from the struggle in our attempt.

Perfection is not humanly possible, not even for Christians, and we often succumb to the snares the devil places before us. Satan knows our weakness and that is where he will attack at the slightest chance.

I let someone get the best of me again the other day. I knew when I saw them coming there would be trouble; I had faced them in the past. Why didn't I remember to ask God to deal with their less than admirable traits, to conquer evil by doing good? Instead I took on the battle myself. I let the human nature within me step forth and I stepped down to the level of the person who faced me. I paid back evil for evil instead of showing restraint and allowing God to settle the score.

Often we run into people we can never please, no matter how hard we try. Some people are just bitter on the world and nothing we can do will make them happy, because they are set on being miserable and disagreeable.

Instead of trying to battle them head on, we should pity them and ask God to soften their hearts. Instead I locked horns and was less than a Christian witness.

I asked God to forgive me for not exhibiting a Christ like spirit. And though I know He forgives me I realize I flunked another test set before me. I am sure the devil rejoiced at my failure to keep my cool.

We should not lie down and allow someone to run over us, because Jesus stood up for what was right and good; He even showed his anger and disagreement with those who were wrong in their beliefs and actions.

But we should not allow others to bring out the worst in our words and actions, if we do; we need to ask forgiveness and seek help in improving upon our Christian deeds, not allowing Satan to have his way at further defeating us.

I pray the next time I see trouble headed straight for me that I ask God for calmness, not the mean spirit of retaliation. I pray I seek the ability to speak not as I am spoken to but in a manner that would be pleasing unto God. I pray I allow Him to be the judge of other's actions and for me not to take vengeance on them for their deeds toward me.

Prayer: God strengthen me in my weakness to become more like Jesus, to return kindness when malice is shown me. Help me stand up against wrong and the accusations of others but do it in a calm restrained manner not exhibiting the same mean spirit expressed towards me.

Betty King ©
baking2@charter.net
www.bettyking.net

Betty King is a Life Style and Devotional newspaper columnist. She has lived with MS for over forty years; she is an author of: It Takes Two Mountains to Make a Valley, But-It Was in the Valleys I Grew, The Fragrance of Life, and Safe and Secure in the Palm of His Hand; they can be ordered from your local book stores, on line or from her website www.bettyking.net or contact Betty. She, also has stories in eleven of the Chicken Soup book series.

Chicken Soup:
Betty has stories in the following Chicken Soup books: Mother and Daughter Soul, Recovering Soul, Grandma's Soul, Recovering Soul Inspirations, Mother and Son's Soul, Women Golfer's Soul, Chicken Soup: Love Stories (to be released in Feb.), Beach Lover's Soul, Chicken Soup for the Soul Christmas, Working Mom's Soul, Coffee Lover's Soul.