That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.(2Co 12:10)
When you're insulted, you can retaliate with a stinging comeback or see it as a growth opportunity. According to the Bible, David said, It is good ….that I have been afflicted, that I might have learn Your statues." (Ps 119:71). Psychologist Dr. Brenda Shoshanna says: "The person who insults us is a teacher....come to help us reduce our ego, develop patience and compassion, practice unconditional forgiveness, and teach us about life and relationship. If you don't perceive an insult as an insult, but as a teaching or a gift, it loses its power to hurt you. On a practical level, if you're insulted, say nothing. Give yourself time. Much harm is created by lashing back, escalating the situation, and saying things you may not mean. Recognize its your ego-that false sense of pride acting up-and don't go along with it."
Paul reached a place where he actually "took pleasure in insults." Most of us aren't quite there yet, but with time and practice it can happen. Speaking of the biblical charcter Judas, one author writes: The Most High sometimes manipulates the actions of our enemies to make them work as friends in order to accomplish His will in our lives. The Most High can bless us through the worst relationships.. ones that are painful or negative. The time, effort, and pain we invest in them aren't wasted because The Most High knows how to make adversity feed destiny into our lives. We can't stop hurts from coming or promise that everyone who sits at our table will be loyal.
But the suffering (we experience ) gives us direction and builds character and in the end we find grace to REEVALUATE our enemies and realize that like Judas, they are friends in disguise. (Source:Word of Today)
