at that point you are no longer in control…

A meek person is understanding, not demanding; gentle, not judgmental; teachable, not unreachable.  And when somebody hurts you, a meek person is an actor not a reactor.

Take the initiative.  Romans 12.17, 21 (NIV), “Do not repay anyone evil for evil...but overcome evil with good." 

A fact of life is you will be hurt.  You will have hurts in life.  Life hurts.  You will be hurt by other people – intentionally many times.  And the meekness issue is, how do you respond to it? 

What is your normal reaction when people hurt you intentionally?  Retaliate!  Get even!  We’re usually at our most creative best thinking up methods to get even.  We are so good at thinking up creative strategies for revenge. 

To retaliate is to react.  They both start with “re” which is a response.  A reaction.  Reaction.  But to respond with forgiveness, even when they haven’t asked for it, is to act, to take the initiative. 

John Powell, in his book, Why Am I Afraid To Tell You Who I Am?, said he was walking down the street with a friend and they stopped to get a paper.  The man selling the paper was grumpy and discourteous, very rude.  The friend, as he was walking away, said to the man, “You have a nice day, now!”  John Powell asked his friend, “Is that man always that rude to you?”  “Yes”.  “Are you always that nice to him?”  Friend said, “Yes, I’m not going to let one man ruin my day.” 

Booker T. Washington, the great black scientist, faced prejudice all his life and he said, “I shall allow no man to belittle my soul by making me hate him.”

When you say, “You make me mad!” you are admitting that they are controlling your emotions.  The other person has the power to control your emotions. 

The moment that you start retaliating, that you start seeking revenge, that you start trying to get even, you give up control of your life.  You are no longer in control.  You are reacting, not acting and that’s a position of weakness.  JESUS said the meek person knows how to let it go.

Just a thought from the front porch…