
Hello everyone!
Yesterday, I wrote about something very dark but very real. From my perspective, we can't ignore evil and we can't pretend it does not exist. We also can't tolerate it. In doing all of that, how do we not become overcome by evil? How do we not become discouraged?
Today's blog title is taken from Romans 12:21; "Do not be overcome with evil, but overcome evil with good."
This is how we are not overcome or discouraged with evil, we overcome it with the good we do and say. We speak up for those who can't speak for themselves. We speak up when we have seen an injustice. We speak up when we see evil being carried out against others. We feed and clothe the hungry and poor. We give a listening ear to someone who is feeling the weight of depression. We take that missions trips to a place one else wants to go. We donate to that relief organization. We don't turn a blind eye to the girls on the streetcorner who probably don't want to be there. We don't turn a blind eye to abuse of any kind in our families, churches, schools, work places and houses of government. We hold our leaders accountable in every sphere; spiritual, governmental, in the home, in the schools and on the job. We hold ourselves accountable and deal with our own vices.
We don't sit by and think, "Oh someone else can help. Someone else will see them. Someone else will say something." Evil triumphs when good people do nothing to paraphrase Thomas Jefferson.
I know many of you reading this are good people. You don't like evil and you don't want to see it triumph or hurt others. Our actions, both large and small, can make a big difference to someone who is suffering. It's amazing what a kind word and a smile can do for someone. And yes, you have beat back evil with a kind word and smile. Perhaps that person you spoke to kindly and smiled at warmly was planning to kill themselves later that day or commit a crime against another person. You took the time to smile and speak to them which gave them value, maybe for the first time in their lives- chances are you changed their minds.
You don't have to have alot of money. You don't have to write blogs and books like me. You don't have to have any special skills. You don't have to be super-spiritual. None of those things are required to overcome evil with good. All you have to do is be kind, genuine and show people that you care. Let God do the rest. He loves to meet us halfway and He will meet you. He will honor your choice to stand with those who can't stand for themselves. He will honor your choice to not stay silent in the face of evil and injustice.
What can you do to overcome evil with good today, this week, this month and this year? What can you say to overcome evil with good right now? I implore you to act!
Overcoming evil with good,
Elizabeth