Wow! When I read these verses, I want to be like the ostrich and hide my head in the ground so God won’t see me! Do you ever wish you could bite your tongue when you have said something dumb and bitterly devastating after you have blurted out words that you can’t take back? Why do we feel that we must have the "last word" … or win (no matter what!) in an argument or contest … or "get back" at some person who has hurt or offended you in some way? Often this personal resentment is encouraged by habit of "Well-he-did-it-to-me-and-I’ll-show-him-he-can’t-do-me-that-way" kind of attitude! And it makes us unattractive and vengeful and void of graciousness and kindness. It even gives us a hard and sour countenance, physically. It shows in body and facial language! And, most of all, it hurts God and the other person deeply. And it certainly causes us to lose a friend in the long run.
AN OSTRICH
1st Peter 3:8-9
Questions:
What are some areas that you can relate to the above?
How are ways that these examples could be handled?
What consequences for and against do you see in verse 8 that you can exercise?
Lifeline:
Try not to be too hasty to react to everyday confrontations that irritate and embitter your spirit. Try to be gentle and not "jump to conclusions" before considering with fairness another’s intentions. "Kill ‘em with kindness" as my great-grandmother, Par