When I was thinking about this question it was clear to me that there is a big difference between the two. We can be a challenge to the people that we meet, or we can challenge those same people to rise to a higher level because of our example. I believe most would agree that being the latter would be our first choice.
I am sure you have experienced the feeling where you just want to run away. Fundamentally,the person who you are encountering is creating a situation that is becoming very challenging. So challenging, in fact, that you may not think that you will survive the moments. You may feel like judgement and condemnation has gotten to a level of extreme intolerance.
Intolerance is a word that is being used a lot in the culture in which we live, as many use it to define an attitude. We often find that we are being closely monitored for what we say, and often for what we don’t say.
Today I became aware of a very popular Christian Bible teacher who is being harassed openly, not for what she is saying, but because of what she is not saying. A particular group has decided that a public statement is the only thing that will suffice. Unfortunately, there is no guarantee that this will be the outcome, even if she should decide to come forward.
A friend recently shared of a situation that was somewhat similar. Someone that she knows created an issue where there never should have been one. This individual invoked her rage on my friend, stating that she was completely justified in her actions. My friend then had the opportunity to turn a very difficult situation into a moment where grace ruled, even though it did not change the immediate situation. Her challenge became one of rising above the challenge, and this she accomplished!
In the end, whether we are facing someone we know, or the fury of accusers we may never meet, we get to decide how it is going to end for us! We can’t control anyone else, their tongue, or what they write, but we can control how we react to them. Our success or failure in the eyes of onlookers is not important. What is important is that our attitude and behavior lines us up with God and His character.
Matthew 5:39 CSB But I tell you, don’t resist an evildoer. On the contrary, if anyone slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also.
1 Peter 4:8 NLT Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins.