Sticks and Stones

When we face opposition or in a position of conflict with someone else, we can remember that Jesus
is our example, according to 1st Peter 2:
21 For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps:
22 "Who committed no sin, Nor was deceit found in His mouth";
23 who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously...

Not only does Jesus model for us how to respond in difficult or adversarial situations, but He gives us the power to actually act in accordance with His will and His nature, because He lives within us.  That is beauty of Scripture: not only do we gain instruction and encouragement, but we also discover the strength that we need in order to walk in His ways.  He calls us to obey and He empowers us to do it!  And, this can be evident in interpersonal relationships.

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In the Sermon on the Mount, in Matthew chapter 5, Jesus taught on responding to people with whom you are at odds or people who mistreat you.
38 "You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.'
39 But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also.
40 If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also.
41 And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two.
42 Give to him who asks you, and from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away.
43 "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.'
44 But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you...

One of the truly unexpected news developments over the weekend came from Washington, DC, but it really didn't have to do with legislative action or matters of policy - not really.  It indirectly involved the President; even had the words "White House" in its name.

It's the White House Correspondents' Dinner, an annual event in which the media get together to underscore their own importance, maybe enjoy an entertaining event, and hear some jokes about - and from - the President.  This current President is 0-for-2 in attending the dinner, but this year, he sent representatives.  His press secretary, Sarah Sanders, sat at the head table, and in the past few days, she has gone to the head of the class in the eyes of quite a few members of the media, for her class in handling distasteful jokes aimed at her.

Al Perrotta of The Stream has written at least two articles about the debacle.  His play-by-play goes like this:

...last night brought a new low from Michelle Wolf. The Daily Show contributor — I won’t use the word “comedian” — mixed malice and vulgarity in a vicious, disgraceful assault on Sarah Huckabee Sanders. The left-leaning Yahoo News! called it “an astonishing barrage of mockery.” Even CNN — CNN! — was dismayed: “Being funny is one thing,” said CNN’s Chris Cillizza, “Bullying people because you can is another. And Wolf’s treatment of Sanders was bullying.”

With Sanders seated just a few feet away, Wolf opened her attack with “I love you as Aunt Lydia in The Handmaid’s Tale.” Aunt Lydia is the show’s evil disciplinarian. That, as Yahoo News says, was “one of the kinder barbs.” “I’m just excited Sarah finally gets to go to the prom,” she cracked. “She burns facts and uses the ash to create a perfect smokey eye,” she hissed.

Perrotta, who has done comedy himself and appeared on my show to discuss distasteful content on late-night television, also noted that the routine included, a "grotesque celebrate abortion schtick."  She basically chided people for criticizing abortion, saying, in essence, not to "knock" it unless you've tried it.  A disgusting moment of insensitivity among many.

Yesterday, Al included a number of responses in an article.  He quoted from the head of the White House Correspondents' Association, Margaret Talev, who said:

Last night’s program was meant to offer a unifying message about our common commitment to a vigorous and free press while honoring civility, great reporting and scholarship winners, not to divide people. Unfortunately, the entertainer’s monologue was not in the spirit of that mission.

He had included in the other article comments from Maggie Haberman of the New York Times, who tweeted: "That @PressSec sat and absorbed intense criticism of her physical appearance, her job performance, and so forth, instead of walking out, on national television, was impressive.”

And, as you might expect, the father of the press secretary was not silent.  A Politico article quoted former Arkansas governor and talk show host:

"After seeing the young female hired to verbally bully anyone who worked for @realDonaldTrump I now understand why eating Tide Pods is popular," the former Arkansas governor wrote on Twitter, referring to an online meme about the detergent-filled packets appearing edible.

"That level of vulgarity is best handled with a mouth washed out w/ soap," Huckabee wrote.

Sign him up for next year's dinner, if there is one!  Good-natured political humor.  The story went on to say that Huckabee "...said the dinner intended to honor the First Amendment turned into a night of 'bullying, vulgarity, and hate' by Wolf, the comedian who headlined the event.

Of course, there has been plenty of reaction on social media, including from Wolf herself, who has seemingly doubled down on her "performance."

Perrotta also pointed out that Sarah Sanders did not go straight home after the dinner; no, she stopped at an after party - the MSNBC after party!  Hardly a room where you might find a lot of supporters of the President.  He related a report from a writer for the Daily Caller:

He ran into White House staffers at the MSNBC after-party. “I don’t know how she does it,” one of staffers told Johnson, “She kills them with kindness — she puts up with it. Good-hearted American people see that — and she wins.”

He reports what happened next.

Then, Sarah Sanders walks into the party. The MSNBC party. A network that lives to savage and promote the godless vitriol that just attacked her. Guess what? Sarah Sanders was smiling. She owned it. I asked her about the attack and she shrugged with a smile and just said the attacks didn’t bother her and that she’s praying for the comedian. 

It actually is not surprising that Sarah Huckabee Sanders showed grace under pressure.  Of course, she goes into the arena known as the White House press room daily.  She's been in the rough-and-tumble world of politics - and she's a Christian who relies on God for strength.  The Washington Examiner reported:

Everyday there's a briefing, Sarah Huckabee Sanders follows the same routine. First she reads a devotion, then she says a prayer, and finally she meets the press.

Naturally the New York Times is shocked by this odd ritual. "President Trump's new press secretary is an evangelical who reads a Christian devotional before news briefings," the paper reports with a curiosity normally reserved for anthropologists.

A Baptist Press story quoted Sanders as saying:

"A lot of times people say you need to separate faith and work, and my answer is that you can't. Because if you are a deep-rooted Christian, your faith is what defines you, and I think that's something that I try to take with me in everything I do and certainly don't separate that when I go to work every day."

So, what people saw Saturday night in another arena was the product of a deeply-rooted faith in Christ.  Quick takeaways:

You may be called into the arena, into the fire, but God has grace available to withstand.  Sarah could have easily spent a quite evening at home with her husband and three kids, but she chose to attend.  By doing that, she showed a willingness to interact with people that she is called to work with, many of whom have what might be called an adversarial relationship with her.  Don't know if she may have seen what was coming, but she was well-prepared.

Remember, the time to prepare to respond with Christian grace is not in the midst of conflict or pressure, but beforehand.  This, for some, myself included, can be a lifetime learning opportunity, but God's Spirit is available to us, and as we submit to Him, He will give us inner fortitude to respond correctly in difficult situations.

We can make this our aim: when we are criticized, we can respond with grace and peace.  That doesn't mean there won't be disagreements or times of tension, but we can learn to disagree in an agreeable manner.

There are those that say that no one should be upset with Wolf because, after all, the President throws out insults.  I would submit that no one should resort to personally insulting another person - we can disagree on ideas and policies, but this is all-too-common practice in politics.  But, it is improper to justify harsh words in the name of "well, the other person does it."  Believers in Christ should reflect a higher standard.