As I am writing this we are in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. It is scary and uncertain time. However, I am sometimes surprised at the hostility and anger shown by some in response to the situation. Just recently I came face to face with someone that was very angry at her current situation. Even gestures of good-will were received with hostility. It was hard not to respond with the same attitude! I took a deep breath (a really deep breath), and tried to respond with kindness. During my conversation with my Lord, He reminded me of the following verse.
Proverbs 10:12 Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins.
Understandably, this is a stressful situation wrapped in great uncertainty. So I asked the Lord to help me understand why this situation requires a response of hostility from some people? Why do some people respond this way?
The Lord then had me read about Hanun, in 1 Chronicles 19. He was facing a time of uncertainty due to the recent death of his father. Now he is faced with having to rule a kingdom. In light of this uncertain time, Hanun could have chosen hope, and joy and trust in the Lord, but, it is evident from the scriptures that Hanun responded to his difficulty with bitterness and anger instead.
In the passage, David desired to show Hanun honor by sending some of his men to comfort him during this time. Hanun viewed this gesture of kindness through glasses of fear and anger and perceived David’s kind gesture as a threat. Hanun reacted to this perceived threat in a horrible way.
1 Chronicles 19: 4 Wherefore Hanun took David’s servants, and shaved them, and cut off their garments in the midst hard by their buttocks, and sent them away.
Hanun was not actually being threatened, but his disposition of anger and hostility prevented him from seeing kindness in the gesture.
When you are faced with a difficulty, is this your response? In uncertainty, do you respond with hostility and the recipient of your rant has to drown in your complaints, anger, and accusations? The Lord the brought me to the following verses:
1 Peter 3:8-9 Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous: Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.
A response of anger and hostility does not help our situation, it does not help us contrive solutions, it does not help us experience the love from God, and our response to these difficult situations reflects directly on our Lord. The Lord desires for us to have compassion for each other and you cannot display compassion and kindness if you are choosing to be angry and bitter about your current situation.
After reading my Bible, I knew the Lord was asking me the following questions:
- How are you going to respond to this uncertainty and difficulty?
- Are you going to pick up the glasses of hope, courtesy, and kindness or you going to pick up Hanun’s glasses and see your situation through bitterness and anger?
- How are you going to show others kindness, love, and compassion?
Have a face-to-face conversation with your Lord.
Related Bible Passages
1 Chronicles 18-20
Psalms 128
Proverbs 10
1 Peter 3-5
If you are interested in having a collection of these devotional conversations with God, Consider purchasing the devotional book, Conversations: Face to Face with Your Lord. It is available from Amazon. Click here. https://goo.gl/nVRPcE
Glory, Strength, & Beauty 
Thank you for this wonderful reminder. God’s hope is so amazing in the midst of uncertainty.
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