When trials come upon us, we can trust God to put it in our heart what to say and do.
About 30 years ago, my neighbors across the street were angry toward my neighbor next door to me. Since I was friendly and continued to wave hi and bye to the neighbor next door, the neighbors across the street became angry toward me also.
A few days later, the man across the street, about 60 years old, stood in the street blocking the end of my driveway, as I was pulling the car forward with my two young children as passengers. The man's arm was raised and he had a large rock in his fist, making ready to throw it through my windshield.
Quickly I prayed, "Father, help me know what to do!"
As if by instinct, I rolled down my window, smiled at the man and said, "Sometimes I feel like that too."
His jaw dropped, he stared, his arm slowly went down and, without a word, my neighbor turned around and walked back into his house. That night, he had a heart attack and died.
I never held anger toward the man nor toward his poor widow, but I have pondered that incident many times. Anger can cause heart attacks and strokes—for example, as Nabal apparently died from his rage (1 Samuel 25:37). As Christians, we must be sure to "put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language" (Colossians 3:8).
When trials come upon us, we can trust God to put it in our heart what to say and do. Christ gave us an example of how this will work in Mark 13:11. And finally, we must remember the words of Christ in Matthew 6:14, "For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you."
