I am instructed to love thy neighbor.
Mark 12:31 New International Version (NIV)
31 The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”
First lets define my neighbor. This is anyone that I come in contact with. However lets be honest people make it very difficult to love them or even want to love them.
The other day I was behind a Mustang. The light was flashing Yellow and you can turn left on flashing Yellow. No cars were coming, but the person did not go. So I patiently waited, but frustrated. Then the light turned Green and they still did not want to go. So I blew the horn briefly to wake them up to move. Well they did, but super slow. When I finally got onto the highway, I got into the left lane and passed them. As I did, they decided to flip me off. I wanted so badly to get in front of them and force them over to the side and take either cutters or a sledge hammer and make it so they could never flip anyone off ever again.
I do not mind a person expressing themselves when I have done something wrong, but when they are wrong and do not want to take the responsibility and blame others, that just makes me mad. However, that is not the Christian way and I have to remember:
Ephesians 6:12 New International Version (NIV)
12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
Unfortunately, it is only going to get worse before it ever gets better.
If you are thinking do I flip people off when they do something such as blow their horn at me, well it depends. I was at a red light one time, it turned green and I was not paying attention. They guy behind me tooted his horn to wake me up and I waved to say thanks and I am sorry. I felt bad because I was not paying attention. Yet other times I know I have when they blew their horns and I did nothing wrong.
Do I have a right to be mad, yes. I do not have a right to sin in my anger. Remember that sinning is going against God. God has told me to love my neighbor and at those times, I have had anything but love in my heart. Furthermore, I am instructed to:
Romans 12:17-21 New International Version (NIV)
17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19 Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. 20 On the contrary:
“If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”
21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Loving people who act this way is very difficult for me as my first instinct is to eliminate that threat and I consider any hostile act towards me or my family to be a threat. However, I have a choice. Do as I want based on Free Will or do what God wants me to do. I choose to do what God wants me to , but I need help and lots of growth to achieve this.
I am sure there are a lot of people out there who feel the same way I do. If you are seeking advice, I can only say do not rely upon your own understanding and abilities, but instead pray to God and put it all before Him and let Him help you.