While moments of everyday frustration are inevitable – we’ve all experienced a spilt glass of milk, a burnt dinner, or a child’s unexpected mess – some moments, however, seem to appear more troublesome, testing and defining us as Christians. Yesterday, for me, was one of those defining moments.
My workday started as usual: prayer; cup of coffee; morning clean up; weekly scheduled group meeting with my co-workers. And then it happened. It wasn’t a physical spill or a surprise mess; rather, it was the words spoken by a colleague I’ve worked alongside for the past two years – words that landed with a thud, leaving a residue of bewilderment and worse, a bitter sting to my heart.
“Well, no one likes you or what you have to say,” my co-worker sneered jokingly. I had just presented the case for the importance of responding to employee ideas and thoughts. I believed an injustice had been done at the last all-employee company meeting and expressed my concern. His words came as a sharp blow and hung in the air, unprovoked and untrue.
My initial reaction, I confess, was a flash of hurt and resentment, a familiar echo of those moments from my younger years when strangers would cast unkind judgments without knowing a thing about me. It’s a strange and painful experience, isn’t it? To be belittled, to feel unseen and misunderstood, especially within a community where we strive for connection and support. The Bible reminds us that “The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing” (Proverbs 12:18). In that moment, the sharpness of those careless words pushed hard at me.
In a flash, something shifted within me. Perhaps it was the years of seeking God’s wisdom, the countless prayers whispered in moments of uncertainty. Instead of retreating into defensiveness or allowing the negativity to pool, a different response surfaced. A touch of humor, a gentle deflection: “Well, you must have gotten out of the wrong side of the bed.” I chuckled softly. “You should go back and try the other side.”
And then, a balm for my spirit – the unexpected and immediate support of another co-worker, standing up for truth and kindness. It was a beautiful reminder that even in the midst of human failings, God’s light shines through the hearts of others. How true are the words: “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up” (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10). The support was a tangible expression of this truth.
But even as the moment passed, the question lingered: why? Why would someone choose to speak words intended to wound? It’s a question that often leads us down a rabbit hole filled with unfounded assumptions and prideful offenses.
And that’s where the strength of God’s grace comes in, my dear sisters in Christ. It’s in recognizing that sometimes, the people who lash out are the ones carrying the heaviest burdens. Their words, though hurtful, may be a symptom of their own inner struggles, their own spilt milk on the floor of their hearts.
In that realization, I chose the path of prayer. Not a prayer of judgment or resentment, but a prayer of compassion. A prayer for the one who spoke those unkind words: “Oh, Lord,” I whispered, “bless him with understanding. Cover him with compassion, both for himself and for those around him. If his heart is hurting, Lord, bring him comfort. Help him to see the impact his words can have.” This aligns with the powerful teaching of Jesus: “But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Matthew 5:44).
This shift in perspective didn’t erase the sting entirely, but it did transform it. It allowed me to release the need to understand the “why” and instead focus on a response rooted in Christ’s love. It reminded me that my strength comes from God.
As fellow sojourners, we will undoubtedly face moments when the unexpected “spills” happen – when words wound, and misunderstandings pour out. In those times, we must choose to look beyond the surface and acknowledge our own feelings with honesty. We turn to the boundless grace of our Heavenly Father. Most importantly, we choose prayer. This is not a passive resignation but an active offering of love and a plea for understanding. We trust that God will work in ways we cannot see.
And with a resolute heart, as the apostle Paul directs in 1 Timothy 2:1, let us pray for one another, for those who hurt us, and for the healing that only God can truly provide. For in His grace, even the spilt milk on the floor of our hearts becomes that testament to God’s enduring love and compassion.
Living Life's Way 