Good Day

The lesson for today, Sunday, January 4, 2026,  is titled “The Moments When God Gives Us the Strength to Rise Above Bitterness.”

Please read the scripture from Matthew 5: 38-42.

38 ‘You have heard that it was said, “An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.” 39 But I say to you, Do not resist an evildoer. But if anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other also; 40 and if anyone wants to sue you and take your coat, give your cloak as well; 41 and if anyone forces you to go one mile, go also the second mile. 42 Give to everyone who begs from you, and do not refuse anyone who wants to borrow from you.

From <https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%205%3A%2038-42&version=NRSVA>

Don’t give in to bitterness; don’t give in to resentment; don’t give in to hatred; don’t feel that you have to strike back or retaliate; don’t let the actions of others control or determine your attitude.  Rather, rise above it and respond with love and courage, serenity and confidence.  Don’t wallow in self-pity.–live in the spirit of love and peace.

Overcome evil with good.  See the problem as an opportunity, take the offensive.  If people are ugly to you, you don’t have to be ugly back–don’t descend to their level but overcome evil with good.

Go the second mile–do more than is expected.    There are 3 possible ways of doing things –one is to do the absolute minimum–just enough to get by.  That’s the first approach and sadly, the way some people choose to do everything.  Second, tackle the task with a smile and extra effort–do it well and joyously. And third, do everything as if we were doing it for God himself.  This is how to overcome evil with good, how to always do more than expected.

Jesus said “Go the second mile–you are a child of God.  You are a human being of integrity and worth and you do not have to be dependent on the action of others for your feelings of self-worth.  When a troublesome thing explodes in your life you have a choice–you can either let it get you down, or you can, with the help of God, rise above it.

Can people tell by the way you live that you are kin to God?  Can people tell by the way you act, speak and react to adversity that you are kin to God? When God reaches out to touch our hearts as only God can and gives us strength to rise above bitterness, hostility and resentment, it takes our breath away!!

Prayer

Dear God, thank you for giving us the strength to rise above bitterness.  Help us go the extra mile for others and to live daily in the spirit of Christ.  Amen

Blessings

Verna