By Nancy Virden (c)2025

It was 1951, and my mother was a part-time student at Cleveland Bible Institute, now Malone University in Canton, Ohio. As she walked to her side job as a typist one morning, a woman who knew her from work walked past and sneered.

“I hate good people!” she growled at her.

In 1976, a fifteen-year-old was taunted by classmates for supposedly being too chicken to play with tarot cards. They sarcastically suggested that since the girl was a new Christian, the cards wouldn’t work for her. “So try ’em whydoncha?” they prodded.

The girl said a quick prayer and then knew in her spirit that it was wrong. She stuck to her guns.

What do you do when the pressure is on?

Mom worked hard at doing things Jesus’ way, in the face of seriously hurtful challenges. Regardless of her human imperfections, it was faith she usually acted upon. Like David, who egregiously sinned and repented, she was after God’s own heart. The second incident was me. It was not the first or last time I have stood up to classmates, fellow employees, family, bosses, or strangers.

Phil Wickham sings a song called, The Jesus Way. In it, he explains the Christian motive for “being good.”

If you curse me, then I will bless you
If you hurt me, I will forgive
And if you hate me, then I will love you
I choose the Jesus way

The chorus includes these lyrics:

I follow Jesus … He is the treasure…
Oh, God, my Savior, You’ll always be enough…
I choose the Jesus way [bold emphasis mine]

My mom did not retaliate or argue with the woman who verbally attacked her. Many times I have held my tongue, too. Lashing out (which both of us have also done) leads only to more anger and no positive resolve. Discussing things calmly is loving, good, and effective, like Jesus did. Oh, he yelled at religious hypocrites who claimed to know and follow God but were hurting other people by doing the opposite all the time. He spoke softly if they had legit questions, but he knew their hearts.

God looks at our hearts and sees what we value. He teaches us when we go askew. He is patient, generously merciful, and forgiving. I want to be like Him.

That is how I can say no when the pressure is on.

I choose the Jesus way, and you can too.

-COMMENTS WELCOME

Today’s Helpful Word

Matthew 6:19-21

“Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.

-Jesus

If you are feeling suicidal or concerned about someone who is, in the U.S., call 988, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. For a list of international suicide hotlines, go here.

If you are suicidal with a plan, immediately call 911 in the U.S. or go to your nearest emergency room; in the EU, call 112. (For other international emergency numbers, go here.) Hope and help are yours!

Always the Fight Ministries (ATFM) has been displaying compassion for those fighting mental illness, addiction, or abuse since 2012. Nancy is the founder and voice of ATFM and openly shares her emotional resurrection from despair. 

NOTE: Nancy is not a doctor or a mental health professional and speaks only from personal experience and observations. This website is not intended to substitute for professional mental or behavioral health care.

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