Daily Devotional for April 28, 2018
Peacemakers
“I know, but that’s what Bianca said.” Kaylee switched the phone to her other ear. “She told me she was sick of hearing you whine all the time. I can’t help it if she says mean things about you.”
After talking a little longer, Kaylee put down her phone and went into the living room. “Who was that?” asked Dad. “Sounded like you were trying to stop World War III!”
Kaylee sighed. “It was Emmylou. She and Bianca are my best friends, but they hate each other! And I seem to always get caught in the middle of their arguments.”
“Why don’t they like each other?” asked Dad.
“I don’t know,” said Kaylee, “but they’re always saying mean things about each other.”
“Hmm,” said Dad. “Well, I don’t know what their problem is, but when you hear one of them say something unkind about the other, have you tried keeping it to yourself? Didn’t you just tell Emmylou that Bianca told you she was sick of her whining?”
Kaylee blushed. “Uh, I guess, maybe,” she stammered. “But that’s what Bianca said.”
“Yes, but you’re contributing to the problem, Kaylee,” Dad told her. “Jesus tells us to be peacemakers. To do that, we need to act in a kind, loving way when others aren’t being kind to each other. While Jesus wants us to tell the truth, the way you’re doing it isn’t very kind or loving to either of your friends. When you tell one of the girls the mean things the other said about her, you’re making her feel bad about herself and angry at the other person. Instead of repeating the negative things they say about each other, see if you can pick up on anything nice they say. If they start to hear positive things about each other, maybe they’ll get along better.”
“You mean, listen for compliments instead of criticism?” Kaylee thought that over. “Well, okay. There probably won’t be many, but I guess it’s worth a try.”
“At the very least, you can stop spreading the bad feelings around,” said Dad. “And as they see God’s love and kindness in what you choose to tell them the other person has said—and in what you say yourself—they might start saying kind things more often!” – Barbara Westberg
How about you?
Do you repeat unkind things and stir up trouble? Today’s Bible reading says to seek and pursue peace. One way to do that is to keep any unkind words you hear someone say about another person to yourself. Instead, listen for kind things said about others and repeat those—and add some of your own! Show others the peace and love you have in Jesus by spreading peace and love with your words.
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