Romans 12:18 What, It's My Fault?
“If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men” (NKJV).
I wrote this several years ago, and I have made some changes in my attitudes, but I think it is time to post it again. If this doesn’t apply to you, great. We need more like you.
Okay, I’ve had it. Enough! Let’s stop fighting and calling each other names. Let’s stop playing the blame game. “It happened because so and so said…” “You’re just trying to take political advantage of a horrible …” I was really getting upset with everyone else this morning when God stopped me in my tracks. He told me that I was partly to blame. “What! I didn’t do anything. I didn’t write or broadcast vile messages.” I was straightened out pretty quickly as God reminded me that I have been saying nasty things about those I don’t agree with, and I have been calling them derogatory names. My attitude has not been good.
When did I start getting pleasure from seeing someone else fail? When did I start liking political statements that tear other people down? When did I start caring more about how bad the opposition looks than about what those I agree with had to say? When did I start getting disappointed when the Yankees or Braves didn’t lose? When did the bad things that happen to other people bring me more pleasure than the good things that happen to those I agree with?
This was not a pleasant morning. I decided to change my attitude and look for those things I agree with and not spend so much time looking how to show my disagreement with someone else. I was feeling pretty good about myself for this change when I found myself once again getting pleasure from an article that showed someone I disagree with in a negative light. Whoa, I haven’t changed that much yet. It’s not going to be easy. I have long habits to break. With the help of God, I will make the change and focus on what I believe rather than on how much I disagree with someone else.
Somewhere in the political past of the last few decades we have become focused on writing, speaking, listening for, and enjoying speeches or articles that tell how wrong someone is. When did we stop making political speeches about what we believe and how we can make this country better? My vote should be FOR someone not AGAINST someone.
I find myself cheering against a football or baseball team or a Nascar driver rather than cheering for someone. I don’t have to get excited when the Yankees win, but I don’t have to let a Yankees win spoil my whole day. I HAVE TO START BEING FOR SOMETHING!
It is not wrong for me to campaign for a political candidate, but my campaigning should be about what he/she believes, not what mistake his/her opponent may have made. It is okay for me to disagree with a political party or politician and to make my disagreement known, but it is NOT okay for me to try to dig up dirt on the person or party just to make the person/party look bad. I should encourage people to vote for my candidate because of what he/she says and believes.
This isn’t my country. This isn’t your country. This is OUR country, and unless we quit fighting and start discoursing, it will become quite split and weak. You and I don’t have to agree about how things are done or even what things should be done, but we do have to agree that we want this country to be the very best it can be. When we disagree, let us discuss the argument on its merits, not on the personalities of those involved in the discussion. If we work together, America can again become the great bastion of freedom and blessing that this world needs.
Lord, help me to change. Help me to approach life and problems in a constructive manner-–one looking for solutions. Help me to trust you completely and not let my passions or anger carry me away from you. Lord, help me to live Romans 12:18. Lord, I know that you are in charge. Lord, I know you are trustworthy. Lord, I know you love me. Lord, I know your love extends to those I like and also to those I may not like. Lord, I am glad you are Lord. Lord, please heal our land!
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