Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing. (I Peter 3:9 ESV)
Fear Not… Then Bless
Her name was Rosemary, and she was dying of cancer. Her body was rapidly degrading, and medical care was unable to slow it down. Certainly, God could have healed miraculously in this life, but instead He decided to heal miraculously by bringing Rosemary into heaven suddenly and completely healthy.
Whenever anyone visited Rosemary in the hospital, we went away at peace. She had the right words, the right facial expression, the right attitude. Those who came to minister to Rosemary, went away having received ministry.
She seemed to understand Peter’s words.
Rather than dwell in bitterness due to the evil of illness, she blessed. Rather than present anger because of her decline, she blessed. Rather than complain about unfairness, she blessed.
I think God gives us troubles, brings evil into our lives, and puts us in situations where anger and reviling are normal for just this reason. So that we can bless someone.
The old response to such difficult is fear. But instead, we get to bless.
The old response to such troubles is fear. But now we get to use the troubles as a springboard for blessing someone.
The old response to such evil is fear. But now we get to ignore the evil and instead find thoughts, words, and ways to bless someone.
Fear not, then bless.