I Can Do What Is Right

12–15 minutes

Center · Stillness

Settle in

Put the phone down. Take one slow breath, and say: “God, I am here. Speak, I am listening.”

Read · The passage

Scripture

Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Romans 12:21, BSB

Learn · Reflection

Reflection

Doing what is right often takes more courage than acting on impulse. God can help you respond with wisdom, even when other people are not acting the right way. Your choices have power. Every time you decide to do good, you also strengthen your character and your heart. Joseph went through moments of terrible injustice. His own brothers treated him badly and took him far from his family. Later he was falsely accused and ended up in prison, even though he had done nothing wrong.

After all of that, Joseph had plenty of reasons to hold a grudge or to look for revenge. But he made a different decision.

In time, God allowed him to hold an important position. That was when he met his brothers again. They were afraid, because they thought Joseph would use the power he had to get even.

Joseph, though, chose to act another way. Instead of paying evil back with evil, he showed mercy and helped his family in a moment of great need.

Doing what is right is not always easy. Sometimes our emotions push us to answer with anger, pride, or a desire for revenge. But God teaches us to choose the paths that produce peace and wisdom.

You cannot always control what other people do. But you can choose how you are going to respond.

Talk · Conversation

Talk about it

When someone treats you badly, what would help you answer with good instead of paying them back?

Thank · Gratitude

Give thanks

Today I thank God that no unfair thing done to me gets the last word over me.

Ask · Prayer

Pray together

God, help me overcome evil with good, the way Joseph did with his brothers. When I want to hit back today, give me the courage to choose mercy.

Begin · Application

Carry it into the day

Think of someone who hurt you, and do one good thing for that person today, however small.

Scripture quoted from the Berean Standard Bible. Public domain (CC0)