When you are insulted unjustly, two thoughts at once arise within you, one bidding you to revenge, the other to endure. These wrestle with one another. Let the peace of God stand forward as umpire in your heart; it will bestow the prize on endurance and put vengeance to shame. God Himself is Peace, and He made peace with you of His own will, not having received anything from you. Make your own peace after that pattern, not the human peace that comes from avenging and suffering no ill. What He left is a peace fixed and steadfast, never dissolving.
As for those who keep reminding you of your sins and mistakes, hear what David says: “Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered.” Where blessedness is, all shame is removed and there is much glory. You have tasted the heavenly gift of forgiveness and been made a partaker of the Holy Ghost. If God has covered your sins, what can their accusations truly bring upon you? They cannot snatch away the blessedness He has given.
Consider Christ. When they charged that He made Himself the Son of God, He held His peace, fulfilling the prophet: “He openeth not his mouth: in His humiliation His judgment was taken away.” And again, He endured the cross, despising the shame, to teach you to make no account of glory from men. He chose that ignominious death not of necessity, but to instruct you to be bold against shame and set it entirely at nought. Follow His example: when they seek to humiliate you, despise the shame, looking not to the approval of men but to the joy set before you.
Do not let their actions steal the true pleasure that leaves the soul free and cheerful. Rejoice in the Lord always, as Paul said, “In this I rejoice, yea, and I will rejoice.” That pleasure carries no uneasiness; it expands the heart without agitation. Pursue it, and their insults will grow small.
Remember the parable: the servant asked only for a delay, but the master, moved with compassion, forgave the entire debt. He gave more than was asked, so that the servant, schooled by his own calamity, would be indulgent to his fellow. You have received such surpassing benevolence. Be indulgent, then, toward those who wrong you. Do not let anger or spitefulness umpire your heart. If you upbraid them in return, you do not condemn them only, but yourself. The measure of your own judgment is laid down by how you treat others. Correct with tenderness if you can, and leave vengeance to God.
I will not cease to pronounce peace to you. Even if they receive it not, I shake off no dust, for I burn for your soul. Let the peace of God, which comes from Him alone, rule in your heart and make you steadfast.