God bless!

    I think the title says it all. Many people will test us because we are Christians, even Christians! With that said we have to learn how to be the bigger person. The natural sees the “Bigger” person as the bully or the person that seems to have control or the “Last word”, but are they really? What gain is there in being the aggressor and what fruit do you gain by beating on those around you?  Most times the people who come off aggressive are simply trying to mask hurt, low self-esteem and a serious inferiority complex. Do we still want to be the aggressor? Remember growing up as kids, there was a bully in every class and for the most part the reason for this was they were the punching bags for their parents and siblings at home. Doesn’t this change your perspective about the person who is trying to be aggressive towards you? Don’t you feel bad for them that they feel they have to compensate for their own hurt by causing others to hurt? Look at their pain and instead of reacting in their fashion lead them to their wrong. How? Speak the Truth. Lay out the facts and most importantly know the difference between the right moment and the wrong one. Approach with an aggressor is everything, aggression from your part to an aggressor will only cause an outbreak of anger. The correct method is to approach them with a clear understanding of their pain and speaking your heart in love. How do you speak in love when you are angry at being offended? You have to maintain your cool! You have to allow your light to come out in the situation and allow them to corner themselves in their aggression to the point where they either stop and listen or run because of your peace. Aggressors will run from peaceful people because they notice they simply can’t phase them. You must note that the initial reaction to your peaceful tone will be a greater level of aggression as it isn’t viewed as you trying to be peaceful but rather condescending or patronizing. You must maintain your cool! Consistency will reign when all is said and done and it will develop either the natural “abusive” relationship or the super natural “loving, respectful, embracing” relationship. Which will we choose today?

Pastor Joell A. Perez