Don’t Mirror the Darkness, Reflect the Light

Not every hurt has a clear explanation, but it still leaves a mark. Brady Jordan offers us a reminder that God not only sees what happens to you – but what grows within you.

~Transcript Below~

There are two encounters in life that can shape who you are at the deepest level:

When you encounter true evil in the world—

And when you encounter true good.

And I’m not talking about someone cutting you off in traffic.

Or your boss snapping at you about something someone else did. I’m not even talking about someone going off in the comments section under a post you made. I mean real evil. The kind that makes your stomach sink. The kind that makes you feel like something deep inside you just got violated. Like when someone hurts you just because they can. Not because of what you did. Not because of who you are. Just because they decided you were an easy target. And I don’t know if you’ve ever had one of those moments, but it does something to you. It forces a choice. And that choice… is actually the part that matters most.

Now, let’s be clear—I’m not saying you should just roll over and let people walk all over you. This isn’t a call to be passive. It’s a call to be different. There are clearly times in Scripture where God told His people to stand up, speak out, and protect what’s right. But there are also times when they were called to restraint, and that restraint can often speak louder than retaliation. Sometimes the strongest thing you can do— the thing that actually takes guts—is to just… not fight. To choose peace on purpose.

A perfect example of this comes from the life of King David. He’s on the run from Saul, who was king at the time. And Saul’s not just upset—he’s actively trying to kill David out of pure jealousy and insecurity. So David hides in a cave. And in a crazy twist of fate, Saul—without knowing David’s in there—walks into that same cave. Alone. Vulnerable. David’s men are whispering, “This is it. This is your chance. End this thing.” And honestly? He could’ve. But instead of killing Saul, David walks up behind him… and just cuts a corner off his robe. Saul leaves the cave without a scratch.

Then David steps out and says: “I will not lift my hand against my master, because he is the Lord’s anointed.” (1 Samuel 24:10) He had the power. He had the motive. But he chose something better. That right there is what makes David David. He didn’t just have strength—he had control. He chose to let God write the next chapter instead of taking the pen himself.

So Here’s the Question:
What makes you different from the people who try to tear you down?
Because here’s what evil wants— It wants you to give back the same energy: Same tone. Same rage. Same cruelty.

But when you choose gentleness, when you choose peace, when you walk away instead of striking back— You win that battle.

And now you’re not just reacting—you’re witnessing.

Let’s think at Jesus
He was mocked. Lied about. Abandoned. He was punished like a criminal when, in reality, He was the only innocent one in the room.

And yet, while hanging on the cross— in front of the very people who put Him there—

He says: “Father, forgive them. They don’t know what they’re doing.” (Luke 23:34)

That’s not passive. That’s power under control.

That’s what love looks like when it refuses to bow to bitterness.

There is one last thing I want to leave you with:

You will encounter real evil in this world.

You’ll also come face-to-face with radical, healing, breathtaking goodness.

And in those moments—when you meet either one—

God isn’t just watching what happens to you.

He’s watching what happens in you.

So here’s the question:

When you’re hurt… will you return the pain?
Or will you return it to God?
When you’re misunderstood… will you defend your pride?
Or will you ask for clarity and let grace lead?
When you’re faced with something dark… will you reflect it?
Or will you reflect the Light?
God, teach us how to respond with humility when we’re hurt. Help us choose peace, even when our flesh wants payback. Remind us that You see what’s done to us, but You care even more about what grows in us. Make us people of restraint, of compassion, and of wisdom.