When the phone rings, I usually expect a productive conversation. But years ago, I started receiving calls that began, “This is your credit card company calling about a problem with your account.” I was also receiving menacing calls supposedly from income tax or law enforcement personnel. I had to stop and ask myself, “Who is actually calling me?” There were even calls claiming to be from “your local bureau of professional fortunetellers.” 

Even when we’re fully alert to the fraudulent intent of such calls, they can still be an unwelcome interruption—intrusive and annoying. It might be tempting to react by getting irritated or hanging up abruptly. But I wanted to respond in a more helpful, spiritual way. 

I looked to the teachings of Christ Jesus in the Bible. In the passage called the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:3–12), Jesus speaks of the spiritual qualities that, when lived, enable us to experience the joy and blessings that come from God, divine Love. He says, for instance, “Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.” This simple but profound message spoke right to my heart. While I certainly wanted callers to stop defrauding people, I saw that rather than thinking unsolicited calls were a waste of my time, I could view them spiritually and respond with love and compassion. It occurred to me that many people behind these types of calls have legitimate needs that could be met through honest and useful endeavors.