Responding With Peace - The One Year Daily Acts of Kindness Devotional

Responding with Peace

God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God.

Matthew 5:9

I have the privilege of volunteering with a Christian women’s ministry that spans the state of Minnesota. The organization offers support to women through its blog, ministries, and conferences each year. The director, a seasoned woman who is older than I am, leads women from all backgrounds with grace and dignity.

As we were planning a conference several years ago, one of our leaders was struggling to complete her duties. Feelings of failure overwhelmed her, and she lashed out in anger at the director—who was a close friend of mine—insulting her leadership and abilities. Later, as I talked to my friend, my own feelings of defensiveness on her behalf began to emerge. Quick to disarm them, she told me she was not offended and then asked, “How can we make this a win for her?”

I was taken aback. This woman who had just been berated by another was asking how she could help make the angry woman feel successful in her role. She wisely saw below the surface to a woman who was struggling and compassionately asked how she could help. We devised a plan at once in which the hurt woman could reengage with the project and successfully fulfill her role. This situation taught me an important lesson about seeking godly wisdom.

When faced with unkindness from others, it is easy to want to respond in the same way we’ve been treated or to take up an offense for someone else who has been mistreated. The Bible is clear that God blesses those who work for peace. Often when we choose to step back and ask God for wisdom, he will lead us to the correct response. Although we may need to be firm or create healthy boundaries, we can still respond with compassion rather than with anger or defensiveness.

—Kendra

— Today’s Act of Kindness —

Think of someone who has been unkind toward you or someone you love. Pray for them and ask God to give you wisdom in how to deal with them. Then reach out to that person with a gesture of support.