Published 10/9/19
By Greg Johnson
What If...
You and your younger brother get along pretty well most of the time. Yes, there are those occasional fights, but nothing too serious. Why do you get along so well? You have to sleep in the same room, that’s why! If you didn’t get along, you’d have killed each other by now.
Each of you has certain habits that tend to get on the other’s nerves. Again, nothing serious. One’s a neat freak, the other is “organizationally impaired.” One likes the light on, the other doesn’t. One likes silence when falling asleep, the other likes to have the radio on. You get the idea.
Lately, however, your brother drives you crazy. He has allergies and his nose is stopped up most of the time. Consequently, he must breathe through his mouth when he sleeps. He gives off a nasal sound that drives you up the wall. Though you know he can’t help it, you’re always trying new tricks to get him to stop: throwing a pillow on his head, shining a light in his face, whistling, stuff like that.
Finally, you just can’t stand it anymore. One night after you’ve gone to bed, he falls asleep before you do. He’s nasaling, and you’ve got your eyes wide open. Mom and Dad can’t help. You’re stuck! And you’re also angry. Something has to be done!
Questions to Think On
• What would you do to get back at him for all of the sleepless nights he’s caused?
• Does getting even really make you even? Or dos it just make you temporarily feel better?
• When you think of the phrase, “Do to others what you want them to do to you,” what do you think?
• This is a tough situation. What are other situations you face where you’d rather get even with someone instead of being nice to them?
What Does God Have to Say?
Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.
“Consider carefully what you hear,” he continued. “With the measure you use, it will be measured to you–and even more.”
(c)