Overcoming Evil with Good

In an angry culture or adverse circumstances, we can choose a better way to respond to those with
whom we disagree, as well as those who show disdain toward us. Ephesians 4 states:
31 Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice.
32 And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ forgave you.

As Romans 12 teaches us, we can "overcome evil with good."  There is a better way to respond, and while bitterness can weigh us down, love motivated by our faith in Christ can help us to reflect His nature.  During this season of Thanksgiving, we can possess grateful hearts and display our devotion to the Lord.  He gives us the capacity to see others through His eyes, and have compassion even on those who may have hurt us or wrongly treated us.

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In Romans 12, we find a wonderful passage that is certainly applicable during this season in which
we celebrate Christ's love. We can read:
18 If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.
19 Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay," says the Lord.
20 Therefore "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink; For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head."
21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

KC and Angel Ahlers are an Ohio couple who have been blessed with an infant son - his name is RJ and he is four months old.  And, the parents knew they had a child with serious medical issues, according to the website for the TODAY show on NBC.  The site says:

When Angel Ahlers’ son was born, doctors knew something was wrong with Randy James. An ultrasound showed that the white matter in the center of his brain was underdeveloped, something known as agenesis of the Corpus Callosum. A month later, blood tests revealed the infant, who the Ahlers call RJ, also has Trisomy 9 Mosaic Syndrome. Both conditions are extremely rare.

The couple is dedicated to handling the situation as a "team," as the article says, quoting Angel, who related, "We have done it side-by side...We definitely tackle it head on."

There are enormous medical bills; already, the child has been under the treatment of eight specialists.  The couple, according to the article, posted a sign on the side of the road directing people to their GoFundMe page. Then, KC saw that another sign had been posted underneath it, which read: “Stop asking for money. Let the baby die. Its called Darwinism. Happy holidays.”

Talk about insensitivity - the presence of outright evil!  And, unfortunately an indicator of the culture in which we find ourselves.  Angel initially felt anger, but then, she decided to take a different route; she related:

“I was thinking about it: There’s obviously something going on in that disturbed person’s life that made them feel compelled to do something like that,” she said. “I let them know that under no uncertain terms I was going to let hatred win out. We are going to teach our son that love wins above all.”

The article goes on to say:

The couple filmed a video, which they shared on Facebook. In it, Ahlers said:

“We’re going to battle your hatred with love. We’re going to pray for you.”

The story has received national media attention, and people are responding with support. Angel says, "Blown away. Definitely there was a time where I was just speechless,” adding, “I looked at my husband and he goes, ‘There are just no words.’”  The article also reports:

Ahlers said she also hopes that others will become more empathetic after hearing about RJ, who is a “very happy baby” who “smiles, laughs, giggles and coos” all the time.

The Ahlers are obviously thankful for the gift of the life of RJ, and we can be thankful for our life-giving Creator, who has chosen to give each of us life.  The Bible teaches us to give thanks in all circumstances, and we can take that to heart and even look to God and praise Him, even when we may face desperate situations.

The story can encourage us during this holiday season to, as Romans 12 teaches us, "overcome evil with good," as well as, like Jesus taught in Matthew 5, to pray for our enemies.  This is a primer on showing compassion to those who have wronged us.  When we encounter opposition or face disagreement, we can make sure that we are pursuing a path of peace.  Even in the face of outright hate, we can display the love of God.  It is easy and sometimes understandable to become angry, but we can turn that around and release the power of the Holy Spirit for His glory.