Retaliate not...

Smoky eyes. And there's nothing cosmetic about it. Black-eye rings. Very glamorous.

Something that touched me that day. 1 Peter 3:8-9 - 'Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate, be 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.'

Something I'm still learning... To bite back retaliation, at the sting of insult. When the words of others (especially loved ones) rub salt on old wounds that are still healing. To pray for those who've let me down. To afford to be gracious and charitable to those who've been mean and unreasonable.

Not totally successful yet. Countless failures. I'm getting there. But yet a long way more to go. I guess the key to that is humbling oneself before the Lord and revering Him. Having the joy of the Lord in one's heart.

"But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. Do not fear their threats. Do not be frightened. But in your hearts, revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behaviour in Christ may be ashamed of their slander." (1 Peter 3:14-16)

What a brilliant reminder!