A quote by an unknown author will stir our meditation today. “Your greatest test will be how you handle people who mishandled you”. This is powerful, isn’t it? Our natural inclination is to pay people back in their own coin. How we must remember that the life we are called to live is no longer natural – life in Christ is supernatural. Hence, we must outgrow tit-for-tat in dealing with those negatively disposed to us. The starting point is to ensure that those who mishandle us have no justification for it. As Apostle Peter clearly stated, believers must not be found suffering for wrongdoing like stealing or being busybodies in other people’s affairs. If the persecution and reviling comes simply because we love and serve Jesus, we need not break a sweat over it.

Scriptural handling of mishandling can lead to great blessing. Your prayer and non-retaliatory attitude may be the tonic to the salvation of those who treat you wrongly.

What then should be our response when we are mishandled? We have two clear answers from Jesus treatise on the mount. Firstly, we are to rejoice! “Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” (Matthew 5:12 NKJV). Rejoice when you are being mishandled? Yes, rejoice because you are in good company. All the holy prophets of God were mishandled. That put you in their class! On a different note, rejoice in anticipation of the great reward that is reserved in heaven for those who endured maltreatment. Secondly, a believer should respond to unjust treatment with prayer.  “But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you,” (Matthew 5:44 NKJV). Scriptural handling of mishandling can lead to great blessing. Your prayer and non-retaliatory attitude may be the tonic to the salvation of those who treat you wrongly.