Back Stabbers
Chorus from The O’Jays Back Stabbers
(What
they do?)
(They
smilin’ in your face)
All
the time, they want to take your place
The
back stabbers (Back stabbers)
I never cease to be amazed at people who stoop to stabbing other people in the back. Just this week I got blindsided by someone I thought was a friend (at least casually). I never had a cross word with this person and yet I was thrown under the bus along with two other co-workers. Fortunately for me, one of us was in the room and overheard the remarks. I really appreciated what my friend did. They called the back stabber out and told them how inappropriate and untrue it was.
I was hurt by the cutting remarks and part of me wanted to lash out and let them know how I felt. This is where the hard part comes in. I had just been listening to some Scripture where Jesus was teaching us to love our enemies and pray for them. Hmmmm. Sometimes I don’t want to act like Jesus. LOL.
The more I thought about it the more I realized that attacks like this are an attempt to elevate themselves at the expense of others. Pretty pathetic when you think about it. How juvenile is that? I try my best to get along with everyone, but I have no illusion that everyone loves me. I just know that I can’t control how they look at me. I can only do what is right and let God deal with them.
When I offend someone, I try to take responsibility and apologize for it. When someone offends me, I try to talk to them about it in a calm and rational manner and work it out. Sometimes people will fess up when they mess up and sometimes they justify what they did. Either way, I try to talk to them instead of everyone around them. At least we both know where we stand.
In the case above, I have decided to just let it go and be kind and respectful despite how I was treated. Proverbs 25:21-22 says: “If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; if he is thirsty, give him water to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head, and the Lord will reward you.” Think about that. By being kind and loving to an enemy we help them to realize they have a conscience and God blesses us for it! I think that is a better outcome for all, is it not?
Shalom!
Daniel Skognes