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We recently opened a new bookstore. We only have one book in it so far, but plan to add others as we publish more books, and have some outstanding books from friends we would like to have here.
The one book we have is called, “Signs of Hope: Ways to Survive in an Unfriendly World.” Many of the posts at my blog: www.dailysignsofhope.com, have posts from this book. This book reaches out to those who may be suffering from anxiety, fear, depression, addictions, self-doubt, hopelessness, and the many other usual suspects.
Check it out by clicking on the “Bookstore,” tab at the top of this page.
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Today’s excerpt is from the book I was just talking about and is called, “Compassion is Difficult to Give Away Because it Keeps Coming Back.”
This has been proven so many times you might want to think about it.
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Chapter 64
Compassion Is Difficult to Give Away Because It Keeps Coming Back
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
Matthew 5:5
I was warming up one day before playing a round of golf. I had been looking forward to a relaxing day, a chance to get away from it all, and was hitting a few balls at the driving range. I was hitting the ball well when a young man in his 20s to my right also started hitting balls. He was hitting the balls very far, which was distracting to me. I felt intimidated by his skills.
I continued to hit, but my shots started going in all directions. I was so distracted by this young man’s abilities that I couldn’t concentrate! I tried to regroup, and stepped up to the tee, saying to myself: I have to ignore the person to my right and hit the ball straight. I took a big swing, and the ball went directly right, hitting the young man on the outside of his left knee. He went down to the ground, grabbing his knee in pain. I was horrified!
I ran over to him, repeating how sorry I was, to ask if he was all right. He looked up at me.
“I’ll be OK,” he said. “And don’t feel bad—you weren’t trying to hit me.”
I could see he was in a great deal of pain, but his first action was to try to calm me down. Here was young a man who had every right to be really mad. God had given this young man the right things to say. That was another of my close encounters with God!
I couldn’t believe how calming his answer was. I was very upset, and I bet it showed! He, the injured party, calmed me by his loving spirit! He could have cursed at me, but he used the moment to show his Christian attitude toward another person.
How do you know he was a Christian? you wonder. Well, I really don’t know because our conversation never went to that subject, but if I were a betting man (and I’m not!), I’d say he was a believer because he never hesitated to show compassion for someone in spite of his own discomfort.
Can people look at you and tell you are a Christian by your actions?
I’ve always felt that you don’t have to grab a Bible and “preach” to a person to have a large effect on them. This young man had a tremendous effect on me, and he didn’t do much. He just forgave me, and let it go at that!
Have you had the opportunity to be a witness to someone by your actions, and let it pass you by?
We can be a witness to someone without trying to impress them with what we know about the Bible. It’s wonderful if you have that knowledge, but most people don’t care how much you know; they want to know how much you care. Many times a people will say, “I want to be like that person,” just by what they see us do. A calming spirit will win more people over than an angry, hateful spirit.
Aim straight for the heart with your love, and the feeling will become a part of those around you.
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit,
but in humility consider others better than yourselves.
Philippians 2:3
Further Adventures
The next time someone is angry, try the gentle approach. You may be very surprised to see that it will calm them down much faster than yelling back at them. Your friends or family will really look up to you if you are consistent in your approach to stress and pressure. Your example may help them to also be meek and therefore be an example for the next person.
Something to Ponder
Isn’t it funny that the more we show kindness to someone, the more we get back in return?