Having compassion when it is not deserved-

Recently I had “someone” get in my face- REALLY CLOSESLY. This person was so angry with me. His temper was fuming and he was about to blow. His eyes were glaring, his nostrils were flaring, his skin turned red, and I could hear every breath go in and out of his lungs. I stood face to face with this person for nearly 20 seconds just waiting for a punch to come my way.

I thought about Jesus and the whole ‘turn the other cheek thing’. I thought about the whole ‘vengeance is mine’ thing. I thought about Jesus enduring the cross ‘for the joy set before Him’.

Due to the circumstances, and my obligations, I couldn’t just walk away. What would I do if this person hit me. Would I be able to jump out of the way just in time to put him into some kind of a restraining hold? Would I be able to take the blow to my face, and continue to stand my ground without exploding in anger and retaliating.

But as I stood there looking hatred and anger in the face; I felt compassion. I felt so bad for this person who carried around so much bitterness. I knew that this anger wasn’t about me, it was instead, directed towards years of history and people that I knew nothing about. But, I do know that those things hurt and scarred this person.

So I showed the person respect, stood my ground, and tried to express love torwards him.

There has been no resolution to the problem yet, but I hope to see one. Because, as I have said before, love always wins in the end.