Occasionally, someone does something that bothers me, gets on my nerves, irritates me, makes me impatient, gets under my skin… I think you get the picture. What do you do when someone annoys you?
It is easy to point a finger at the other person, highlight their faults, and focus on their words and behavior. What is harder, but more appropriate is to look in the mirror and take a moment for an attitude check.
The attitude check is not about excusing the other person’s behavior, but about examining myself and reacting in a way that glorifies God, seeks peace, and overcomes evil with good. Romans 12 speaks directly to this:
17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone.18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19 Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. 20 On the contrary:
“If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”
21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Let’s makeover our attitudes and our reactions on this Makeover Monday.