Sunday, September 1, 2024

Sunday Reflections: Choosing the Higher Path Amidst Frustration and Drama


As I sit here on this Sunday, reflecting on the past week, my mind is flooded with the frustrations and drama that seem to have become all too familiar. It’s been a week filled with moments where I’ve been reminded, sometimes painfully, just how mean and cruel people can be to one another. The temptation to retaliate, to strike back with the same venom that has been directed at me and my husband—the man I protect the most—has been strong. But deep down, I know that two wrongs do not make a right.

The truth is, life is full of challenges, and people will wrong us in ways that are sometimes difficult to understand or forgive. It’s human nature to want to defend ourselves, to respond to cruelty with the same harshness, and to let anger guide our actions. But as I reflect today, I’m reminded of the importance of stopping, refocusing, and choosing the higher path.

When someone wrongs us, especially when they target the people we love most, our first instinct is often to retaliate, to make them feel the same pain they’ve inflicted on us. It’s a natural response, driven by our sense of justice and our need to protect ourselves and those we care about. But acting on that instinct can lead us down a path of further conflict, escalating the situation and causing even more harm to ourselves and others.

I’ve felt that urge this week—to lash out, to fight back with the same intensity that’s been thrown at me and my husband. But I’ve also had to remind myself that doing so won’t bring us peace or resolution. It might feel satisfying in the moment, but it’s a temporary fix that leaves behind lasting damage.

In moments of anger and frustration, it’s easy to lose sight of what truly matters. But this week, I’ve been making a conscious effort to refocus. I’ve had to remind myself that there is always a proper way to handle things, even when the world seems unfair and people act with cruelty.

Refocusing means taking a step back, taking a deep breath, and choosing to respond with grace instead of anger. It means remembering that my actions define who I am, not the actions of those who hurt me or my husband. By choosing the higher path, I’m not just protecting myself—I’m also protecting him and setting an example for those around me. Strength doesn’t come from retaliation but from restraint and wisdom.

In my journey, both personal and as an advocate, I’ve encountered countless injustices, particularly within the system that holds so much power over the lives of our loved ones. It’s easy to feel powerless, to want to fight back with every tool at my disposal. But I know that fighting the system requires patience, strategy, and a commitment to doing things the right way.

This week has tested my resolve, but it’s also strengthened my belief that change doesn’t come from lashing out in anger—it comes from persistence, from standing up for what’s right in a way that reflects the values we want to see in the world. Whether it’s advocating for my husband’s rights or dealing with the personal conflicts that arise, I’m choosing to handle things with integrity, knowing that this is the only way to achieve real, lasting change.

As this week comes to an end, I’m choosing to let go of the anger and frustration, and instead focus on what I can control—my own actions, my own responses. The world can be cruel, and people can be harsh, but I won’t let that dictate who I am or how I behave. There is always a better way to handle things, a way that aligns with my values and my vision for the future.

Let’s continue to fight for what’s right, but let’s do it with grace, patience, and wisdom. After all, two wrongs never make a right.

Micah 6:8 (NIV): “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”

#SundayReflections #ChooseTheHigherPath #FightForWhatsRight #PrisonWifeJourney #EppersonEmpowerment #GraceUnderPressure #InmateAdvocacy #EndMassIncarceration #MentalHealthMatters #IntegrityAndStrength

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