Written by Jennifer Slattery, a contemporary writer and speaker.
We experience the most peace in our souls and relationships when we learn to deal with our emotions before we begin to devalue the other person. That was the message Jesus conveyed when He warned us against calling others worthless (raca in the original Greek) or a fool. May we, God’s beloved, redeemed and empowered children, never allow our anger to become so strong and unmitigated that we become unable to see the other person’s value as a human being created in the image of God. I don’t mean to suggest this is easy. In fact, there are times when doing so will feel excruciatingly hard, if not impossible…When we remember that He sees our pain, every injustice we experience, and promises to reward our every obedient act, we feel less compelled to vindicate ourselves. We’re better able to trust Him to work all things for our good and His glory, and often, He does His most beautiful work in those very relationships we otherwise might have destroyed. Because our God is for us—for our joy, peace, and relational fulfilment.
Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift. [Matthew 5:23-24]
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