Let’s Live in the Present

Gail Oliver Cambridge | June 1, 2021

How do you react when friends wrong you?

A friend was complaining to me about the way her other friends had snubbed her. This was not the first time she told me about their behavior, and as I listened, I wondered if I should express my opinion but decided against it. You see, she gets mad but continues these relationships despite the slights! So, I held my tongue and allowed her to vent. How could she maintain friendships with these people? I used to get annoyed with her and often told her how silly she was as they were taking advantage of her friendship. That never fazed her, and she’d counter, “Well, it’s on them and I have to do what I have to do.”

While sometimes I’ve forgiven friends and others at the drop of a hat for their wrongful actions towards me, at other times I’ve simmered with disappointment and resentment before breathing a deep sigh of release. If I were in my friend’s position, I probably wouldn’t go back to such a high level of friendship, especially if there hadn’t been an apology.

My friend is a people person and very social, and I love her openness. I’ve observed how she’s able to move past the hurts and free herself to live in the present and actually enjoy these people. While not every one of us may agree with her way of dealing with things, we could all take a page out of her book.

Friends, why nurse a grudge or worry about what other folks say about us? Why let anyone rob us of our joy? We may be experiencing bitterness at someone, but is the bad blood really worth it? When we are in an arrogant state and allow our pride to lead us, we miss out on precious moments along the way. Instead let’s practice humility and accept a situation for what it is and others for who they are, be comfortable with our roles, and live our lives well, loving all that we do. With the worst of the pandemic behind us, we should embrace the present and live more harmoniously.

“And mark that you do this with humility and discipline—not in fits and starts, but steadily, pouring yourselves out for each other in acts of love, alert at noticing differences and quick at mending fences.” (Ephesians 4:3 MSG)