It's Up To Us - And We Have A Helper!

This story from an unknown author comes to me most recentlyin an email forwarded by Linda. I have seen it before, and perhaps some of you have as well, but the message isimportant enough that it merits repeating.

Law of the Garbage Truck

“One day I hopped in a taxi and we took off for the
airport. We were driving in the right
lane when suddenly a black car jumped out of a parking space right in front of
us. My taxi driver slammed on his brakes, skidded, and missed the other car byjust inches! The driver of the other car whipped his head around and started yelling at us. My taxi driver just smiled and waved at the guy. And I mean, he was really friendly. So I asked, 'Why did you just do that? This guy almost ruined your car and sent us to the hospital!'

This is when my taxi driver taught me what I now call, 'The Law of the Garbage Truck.'
He explained that many people are like garbage trucks. They run around full of garbage, full of frustration, full of anger, and full of disappointment. As their garbage piles up, they need a place to dump it and sometimes they'll dump it on you. Don'ttake it personally.

Just smile, wave, wish them well, and move on. Don't take their garbage and spread it to other people at work, at home, or on the streets. The bottom line is that successful people do not let garbage trucks take over their day. Life's too short to wake up in the morning with regrets, so
Love the people who treat you right. Pray for the ones who don't.”

*****
How do we, as Christians react when we are treated poorly or unfairly? How do we respond? The Bible gives us plain direction. Here are but three passages to consider:

Pro 15:1 A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

In Matt 5:39 Jesus said, “But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.”

Paul writes in Rom 12:14-21 “Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends
on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the
wrath of God, for it is written, "Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord." To the contrary, "if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head." Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”

Sound Biblical advice, don't you think? Is it ever easy to do this? Of course not! Yet throught the Holy Spirit who dwells in us, we should all put into practice! As Paul tells us in Romans 12, it's up to us in how we react to "getting dumped on... Aren't you thankful we have a helper?