“So that we may boldly say, ‘The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.’” (Hebrews 13:6)

The Bible says this: “Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)

More and more I see and hear so much negativity out there. And from talking with people who have been around, Oswego seems to have more than its share of it than other places. I was surprised to hear this actually. I just figured, especially with the Internet nowadays, that every city had gossip sites to complain about everything under the sun; to launch attacks upon people (more often than not against people they don’t even know); and to just generally share their negative, sometimes downright nasty, views of life, people and government. But I’ve been told recently by several people who have lived elsewhere that this is not the case.

But, for this Life Thought, I don’t want to address those who support and sponsor those types of sites. I just want to say something to anyone who has had to deal with the backlash of slander or any form of attack, whether it be on a gossip site or “around the water cooler” at work or by the locker in your school.

If what is being said about you is true, then that is a different matter. We all have to deal with consequences of our actions. But, what if the attacks are unfounded? 

Don’t worry about it! God has your back. But you need to stay true to what He asks of us as Christian. We all know the verse, “Vengeance is mine, saith the Lord.” (Romans 12:19) He also says “Recompense to no man evil for evil.” (Romans 12:17) and “Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of desolation of the wicked, when it cometh. For the Lord shall be thy confidence and shall keep thy foot from being taken.” (Proverbs 3:25, 26)

And I could go on and on. There are so many places in the Bible that God says He will take care of you and deliver you from your enemies. But at the same time, He challenges us not to be revengeful or stress out about it.

If you know the attack is unwarranted, just do what God asks. Rejoice, thank Him and pray unceasingly for strength, for love toward our enemies and to help us keep our cool.

Don’t stoop to the level where others are who are trying to pull you down. Shake them off your foot and God will help — just like He says he will “keep thy foot from being taken.”

Amen and hallelujah.

Debra Robillard can be reached at drobillard@palltimes.com
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