Grit and Grace
I grew up in the 1970’s before internet and X-boxes. The tiny square television in our living room was the primary form of family entertainment. We had no remote control. My dad sat in his leather recliner, and I walked to the front of the room and changed the channels to his favorite shows. Most nights, I laughed along with Mary Tyler Moore, Hawkeye Pierce, and George Jefferson, but on Tuesday nights my temper flared as I endured thirty minutes of Archie Bunker bulldozing over his mousy wife.
I know Edith Bunker is not a real person, but my eight-year-old self wanted to jump through the television screen and rise up to her defense. Why didn’t she fight back? How could she respond with grace to such a grump? I viewed her meekness as a weakness. Now that I am older and wiser, I know better. Edith Bunker was actually a very wise woman who loved well and suffered long. Her kind, gentle spirit created stability in a very difficult setting.
In Ephesians 4, Paul addresses believers and encourages them to promote unity in the church. He admonishes them to lay aside pride, pushy demands, and impatience. The church is a family, and we must decide to fight for each other, rather than demand our own way. We should show forbearance instead of fixating on the faults of our brother. We can set aside our resentment and righteous indignation to serve one another in love.
Perhaps you’ve logged on to Facebook or Twitter and lamented how grumpy people misuse words to bulldoze their opinions forward, and you’ve considered firing away a well-crafted retaliation. Instead of shouting louder, let’s purpose to speak kindness and extend grace.
Long-suffering love perseveres through pain and provocation. Rather than strong-arm our way forward, we are called to stand strong and steadfast in the Spirit with submissive hearts fully surrendered to God’s sovereignty. God will grant us the grit and grace we require to continue loving one another.
Let’s Talk: How have you learned to fight for pesky people by exercising God’s grace? I’d love to hear any tips you have to offer on this subject — especially as we head into the holidays.
You can read more about this topic here: 4 Ways to Love Pesky People
“Grit and Grace” was originally published at Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale’s Daily Devo.
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Oh, my friend! How I can relate to all you said here. I have found, through painful experience, that the sooner I surrender to the Holy Spirit and walk after the Spirit, instead of after the flesh in retaliation and self-defense, the better. Even though it totally goes against the grain to overcome evil with good, it absolutely works. Jesus answered not even a word when He was GOD in the flesh and had every possible right to lord that fact over the very ones who were standing there accusing and abusing Him…He could have cut off their very air supply, had He chosen to, and He would have been within His just rights to do so. But, He allowed His judgment to be taken away….because there was a bigger plan and purpose for that moment in time, and there is a bigger plan and purpose right now…bigger than my own hurts and wounds and broken spirit. It took so much more strength for Jesus to answer not a word and to surrender in obedience to allow His Father’s plan to unfold, as it needed to, than for Him to give His persecutors their just dues. Our very salvation was riding on Jesus’ decisions in that time, and much is riding on what we do in ours. God told me a long time ago that if I wanted to be used by Him, I must first learn to be used by people. Some of that use is despiteful use, but am I better than my Master? HARD lessons, but lessons that serve well when the next injustice comes along. I LOVED this post…it resonated deep, and I am so thankful you shared what God placed upon your heart. Sending love and hugs to you and hopes for a blessed Christmas season for you and your husband!
Cheryl,
Thank you for sharing your heart. Knowing that you understand and are working through some of the same issues is so comforting to me. — I am late in responding here. December has been so crazy, and I am finally finding some space to breathe this week because I am on vacation from work. I hope you had a wonderful Christmas.
Hugs,
Lyli
HOW HAVE YOU LEARNED TO FIGHT FOR PESKY PEOPLE BY EXERCISING GOD’S GRACE?
I recall how Christ fought for me. That knowledge always levels the ground for me. Thank you, Lyli! You are consistently on task with God’s call to expand His Kingdom 🙂
You are so right, Charla. It starts with remembering how much we’ve been forgiven. HUGS
Responding with love and grace can make such a difference! It helps me to remember that people are made in God’s image, even when I find them difficult, and to remember the love he has for them and ask him to help me see them as he does.
Yes, I need HIs divine perspective. My fleshy eyes do me no good in situations like this.
I’ve prayed Psalm 141:3 a lot: “Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips!” But lately I have also been asking God to intervene even before the wrong words have to be fought against and help me have the right heart response. When I think of how forbearing He is with me and how much He has forgiven me, it helps motivate me to be the same way towards others.
These are wise words, Barbara. I am going to pray that prayer this week. It’s a timely one for me right now. Blessings to you as we close out 2017 and look to the new year. Thankful for your continued participation in this Friday fellowship. 🙂
I have found that keeping quiet, not to the point of being walked on, is more powerful than words. Words said in anger leave horrible scars but silence will speak louder. I seek God to help me in these situations and if I am to speak He will give me the words. But most times I remain silent and God softens hearts or shows me why they my be grumpy.
Yes, I am getting better at that…. but it’s not my nature. He has to do a work in me.
Oh my goodness, I use to be so mad at Archie too!!! Yay for growing up in the 70’s!!!
Woot Woot!
Lyli, I loved your survey. The questions were great … especially #9. Really made me stop and think this morning. Thanks for all you’re doing in this space to encourage and minister. Blessings!
Thanks for taking the time to fill it out, Deb. I learned so much through what was shared.
Joining you in the not-a-fan-of-Archie club.
And I can’t think of a time of year that requires more grit or grace than the season we are entering.
Off to take your fun survey!
#ArmorOn Christmas 🙂
Love and grace always win! Thanks for sharing.
Completed your questionnaire!
Took the survey and linked up! Happy weekend!
It is a hard thing to grin and bear it. To model the kingdom is the instructions I get from the Lord. Thanks for hosting and have a blessed Holiday season!
Such a great verse from Ephesians and something we should all strive to be better at, myself included.
I know silence is better even if you’re right, just talk to Jesus instead. You can learn a lot from being a dingbat.
This was great! Thank you so much for the reminder. Some times it is so easy to get caught up in the moment and throw those words out there. But mostly we would do better to keep them to ourselves!
I am excited to share in this linkup the next time it opens! 🙂
Blessings,
Amy
I always loved Edith Bunker’s character. There was a lot more going on under that scatter-brained appearance. May God give us the grit & grace to love the Archie Bunkers and other challenging people in our lives. Thanks for hosting!