Choosing Good When It Is Hard

Reflection

I always say the best way to get along well with people is to get away from them. That usually gets a laugh, but there is a little truth in it. Most of us cannot retreat to a mountaintop or disappear into some remote place and live life without dealing with anyone. And honestly, that is not how we are meant to live. We are called to live in community.

I am not saying you have to live in a city surrounded by crowds. What I mean is that we are encouraged to be around one another, especially other believers. This is how we grow. This is how we are comforted. Yet even those of us who follow and believe in Christ have moments when we are short sighted in how we behave. We get irritable. We get stressed about work and snap at someone. We get hurt and judge harshly. Sometimes we hold onto offenses longer than we should.

And then there are those moments when people hurt us, whether intentionally or not. What do we do then. Do we return the same behavior. They argue, so we argue back. They gossip, so we speak poorly of them. They ignore us, so we withhold kindness. They hurt us, so we hurt them back. This is not just an issue among believers. Scripture tells us this applies to everyone.

Let me say this honestly. Some of you are very strong in this area. For others, like myself, it can be difficult, especially when the hurt is constant. That is why this verse stands out to me. Some translations say try to do what is good, but the word Paul uses carries more weight. It speaks of an earnest and eager pursuit. A determined choice. Not passive. Not reluctant. But a continual seeking of what is good.

This kind of response does not come naturally. It comes from a heart shaped by Christ. Jesus did not repay evil for evil. He responded with truth, grace, and love. When we pursue what is good, even when it costs us, we reflect Him. And that is the point.