Matthew 5:44-45 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.
– For Mature, Open-Minded Individuals
There will come a time in everyone’s life when you will have to make some tough choices and come to terms with harsh realities and it is at that moment when each of us will face the proverbial fork in the road. Do you lash out and seek vengeance against those that wrongfully attempt to persecute you or do you handle them with grace and dignity?
Whatever the decision, remember it is a reflection of you and not the culprit. One of the many truths about life is that you will not get along with everyone you encounter and as complicated as it may become, you may actually have to work with those you genuinely despise. It can be a daunting task and one that requires restraint and tact, but it is a necessary evil. There are many times and in various arenas when you will have to work side-by-side with people you do not like, do not care for, and would rather push off a cliff instead of sharing work space. How you handle this moment can determine your success or failure.
Every action begets a counter action and if you choose retaliation, you are only dooming yourself. It takes a bigger person to look beyond faults, accusations, and sabotage and see the bigger picture. If you become too consumed with getting back at the person or causing them harm, you ultimately are doing yourself a disservice. The greatest way to overcome your tormentor is to strive regardless of their attempt to ruin you at every turn. Win with a smile and a determination to excel no matter what. Nothing thwarts the plans of the enemy more than not allowing anything or anyone to slow you down, deter your course, or cause you to act of character.
True perseverance is going on no matter what and not stopping until you reach your goal, even if that means having to align with the very person who tried to destroy you. Kill them with success and bury them with a smile! You may have heard me say this before, but it is worth repeating. You may not be able to control the actions of others, but you can always control your reaction. That reaction is what separates the victors from the victims. Which do you choose to be?
At the end of the day it is impossible to please everyone and to complicate matters more, there will be people who will dislike you and bring turmoil into your life for no other reason than they are not you and are jealous and envious. How we handle these people and situations is our test and our opportunity to grow and demonstrate class, dignity, and maturity. Do not let the actions of another dictate the outcome of your future.
“You will sleep much better when you don’t allow your anger to hold your peace hostage!” @ALewis713