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Yes,
I will consider! In fact, in the light of much mercy, sarcasm melts with
the heat of God’s love. If I am to really ‘consider’ the person that
threw the hurtful remarks, I must ponder, think, and take some time.
Consideration even tends to courtesy and compassion for the
sharp-tongued offender! How much do they hurt? What level of
frustration plagues their day? Have they cried their deep
tears lately? But how
do I move into this area of compassion quickly? Is this easy? Ha! Not at
all! For when the stinger finds its target, the sarcastic version, “Just
consider the source…” becomes the automatic balm and Band-Aid to sooth
the hurt. However, when immediate prayer adorned by the Gospel reaches
that height wherein dwelleth righteousness, sarcasm can be swallowed up of
victory as the love of God is shed abroad. It
is all about the mind and the discipline thereof. The Word of God renews
our minds. Therefore, ordered steps in His Word draw the heart to heights
above the stinging reality of common offenses. The climb is steep and
arduous twisting through self-justification and surface pain. Yet, the
view from the top is tremendous! You
see, for a month now The Bible on CD has been playing in the car radio.
Just that day, reading of the passages had stirred the Word and its memory
into my heart. That is how God was able to get through my hurt to the true
meaning of the word ‘consider’. When the offence came, my heart began
to race, and I could feel the color drain from my face. I had to start
climbing quickly. Deep breath! I did not want to cry in public, and my
lips were beginning to quiver. Then The Bible memory lived in me for an
instant and the power of Jesus and His Holy Word changed things! By
faith I know He tries my heart. By faith, and deep breaths, I saw His eye
of guidance in that moment of pain. Now, oh mind, allow the mustard seed
to become the shield. For
what does it matter that offenses come? Is it not to afford us growth
opportunity? Is it not just one more chance to please Jesus? So then, when
verbal stings hit the mark, and the old familiar “fight/flight” kicks
in, take a deep breath and let consideration, faith, and resolve propel
our steps upward. Furthermore,
let the time between the strike and the victory be shorter and shorter
enabling us to forget self and enter into a fuller life of Divine Service.
For
when words are used hastily, the speaker usually knows it or God will show
them later. So, what really matters is not the offense, but, yea, our
reaction to it, for that is what catches God’s attention. When words
offend me, I want Jesus to smile at my reaction, not frown. With
each breath and consideration of the other, God’s grace increases and
his smile, hopefully, broadens. Besides, thirty years from now, what does
it matter; that little old sentence thrown like a javelin? Hmmm? David
ducked. So must we. Please, consider the source.
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