When things seem unfair or deeply disturbing in some way, it can be so easy to be frustrated and to react with anger. I know—I’ve been there. When we feel that things have gone terribly wrong or that we’ve been wronged, there must be a better way to respond than with finger-pointing, self-righteousness, or outrage. 

We can find a healing answer in a Bible account. Jesus’ disciples were afraid. Things were going very badly, and Jesus was being arrested. Peter, one of the disciples, felt he should fight back. He drew a sword and attacked, cutting off the ear of one of those sent to arrest the Master. What did Jesus do? He rebuked the disciple and restored the man’s ear (see Luke 22:49–51).

It can seem justifiable when disheartened or angry to react by lashing out in some way, but Jesus taught something different. He exemplified a wonderful humility and lack of desire for vengeance. His impulse was to do good—to heal—rather than to revel in Peter’s violent act or react harshly to the aggression against him.