There are many times in God’s Word where we are to fight… to fight the good fight of faith, to fight in spiritual warfare, enduring a great fight of afflictions. And that fight takes courage. But sometimes, it takes just as much courage not to fight! In the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5, Jesus spoke that if someone slapped you on the right cheek turn the other to them as well… if anyone takes your shirt give them your coat as well… if anyone forces you to go one mile, go two miles with them… love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you. Sometimes, it takes great faith and courage “NOT” to fight or to strike back… but to love through.

When Saul was jealous of David and threw the spear at him, David could have easily taken that spear and threw it at Saul and killed him, but he did not. When Saul was sleeping in a cave where David happened to be hiding, David could have killed Saul while he was sleeping, but he did not. David loved Saul. When David was offended by Nabal, Abigail’s husband, who refused to give any provisions to David’s men even after David blest Nabal’s flocks… he could have killed him but did not. He listened to the counsel of Abigail and let God deal with Nabal.

When Jesus hung on the cross, he could have easily called down legions of angels to destroy those who were scourging Him and crucifying Him, but He did not. It was not a time to fight back, but a time to forgive and fulfill the redemptive plans of the Father… and to love!

How about you? Sometimes it’s easy to fight back and get into strife. But sometimes, it takes more courage to forgive, let it go and walk away than to fight! Sometimes, God may be calling you to take the lower road of forgiveness and esteeming others more highly than ourselves and caring for how they feel more than how we feel. Now that takes courage!