Treat others as you wish to be treated

Read Luke 6:27-38
The Lord says, [My sinful people's] tongue is a deadly arrow; it speaks deceit through the mouth. They all speak friendly words to their neighbors, but inwardly are planning to lay an ambush.

-Jeremiah 9:8 (NRSV)
As I walked by the nurses' station at work, I caught the ending words of a conversation among my co-workers. It was about me! What they were saying was not very favorable. What's more, it wasn't true. That really hurt. Upon seeing me, all the talkers became very quiet. During the rest of the shift, all of them either avoided me or were overly friendly. I carried a heavy heart the rest of that day.
The next day I prayed about how I should react to their behavior. How do I handle my hurt? Soon I came to realize that I am not responsible for deceit in others. I am not responsible for people who say one thing but act otherwise. I have no control over others; nor do I have the right to judge them. I am, however, responsible to God for my actions toward others, even those who hurt me. I took great comfort in this truth. So I resolved not to retaliate or hold a grudge.
Letting go of hurts is not easy, but it is possible. Jesus said, "For with God all things are possible" (Mark 10:27). He didn't say all things are easy. The Bible tells me not to judge others. We cannot monitor their hearts or change their behavior. That's God's job.
Sandra K. Ramirez (Ohio, USA)

Loving God, teach us to show kindness to one another and to forgive when others disappoint us. Amen.

Treat others as you wish to be treated.

Those hurt by gossip

Luke 6:27-38 (NRSV)

"But I say to you that listen, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. If anyone strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also; and from anyone who takes away your coat do not withhold even your shirt. Give to everyone who begs from you; and if anyone takes away your goods, do not ask for them again. Do to others as you would have them do to you. "If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. If you lend to those from whom you hope to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to receive as much again. But love your enemies, do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return. Your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High; for he is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. "Do not judge, and you will not be judged; do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven; give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap; for the measure you give will be the measure you get back."
The scripture quotation is from the NEW REVISED STANDARD VERSION of the Bible, copyright (c)1989, by the Division of Christian Education
of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the U.S.A. Used by
permission. All rights reserved.