How to Respond When You Feel Mistreated

John Bevere is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors. I will say this book was much shorter than I expected, only about 90+ pages, but it was still full of advice. Things I've heard, but in ways that make so much more sense or force me to look at myself and confront some hard truths. I definitely recommend this, read it in one sitting.

This little one needs much attention. It needs to be read over and over again so it sinks into your spirit. It is a must have.

This book by Bevere was a blessing. It edified my Christian walk beyond the circumstance. How To Respond When You Feel Mistreated personified what Christ said about loving our enemies [even when it's a family member] and turning the other cheek [Matthew 5:39]. I constantly put this into practice. I cannot begin to tell you how God is using my newly developed "unconditional" love attitude to change not only others, but me too. Talk about lessening stress in one's life.

I loved the dog's face on the cover! The first two chapters showed me I needed to keep the book handy (especially in traffic!). On two occasions, I only had to look down at that face to get QUICKLY from offense and into blessing and forgiveness. That face still pops into my mind when I am offered another "opportunity" to feel rejected or offended or be unforgiving. All of those things can hurt - but I don't have to STAY hurt! And I can CHOOSE to forgive whether it still stings or not! Just the image of that face brings all this TRUTH back to my remembrance - faster than it took me to type this - or you to read it! In this case, getting "caught by the cover" was exactly what I needed! God is Awesome to give us such powerful Truth in such a simple and direct manor.

I was on a journey with God that took me through this book. It was exactly what I needed to hear when it crossed my path. I have shared it with others and it was exactly what they needed to hear too, and they have thanked me for saving them from doing something disasterous! It isn't easy. It isn't natural. It isn't our gut instinct to respond to mistreatment the way John lays out. But the man writes from his own tough experiences, and with the leading and companionship of the Holy Ghost. If you've ever heard John preach you know that he isn't a man who lacks courage or is afraid of confrontation. This is not a "turn-the-other-cheek" wimps manual. It is scripture based and enlightning. This is a book that also needs to be drug off the shelf every once in a while and reread. If you are twisted up inside with a major conflict in your life right now and are desperate for good council, consult this book before you do something rash that you will regret. I promise, you will be so glad that you took the time to cool off and seek God with this book. John offers real answers, not smoke and mirrors. At least a look onto its wisdom and a good time in prayer about it all will put the whole thing in better persective. It may feel good to defend yourself today, but at what cost? What you say and do in the process can haunt you forever. Being able to sleep at night is probably the biggest side effect of doing the right thing. Not to mention that it's not all about this place, and it's not all about me. It's good to put things into perspective.

I needed to hear this. Bevere writes about how we respond when we are mistreated. Actually, that's not right. It's when we *feel* we are mistreated. That's a key distinction. Because this is all about the responses we can control, not the ones of others that we can not. Bevere sticks very closely to the Bible, generally, and gives great wisdom about leaving vengeance up to God, while loving not just others, but your enemies. I've started to put some of his ideas into practice after reading this book, inviting some of my enemies over for dinner- for after all, you eat with your friends, but not your enemies. Particularly striking for me was Bevere's thoughts on how, when we are offended, we step out of the grace of God, and remove the possibility of being blessed by God. There were however some drawbacks to the book. The writing style is like someone is speaking- too informal for pen on paper. I was surprised at some of his asides, that would be great when he is giving his speeches, but were completely inappropriate for good writing. An editor should have caught that. In a couple of his later chapters, he goes on a conservative tangent, actually more like a diatribe, which I found deeply unhelpful. How he feels about supporting Bush, or being against evolution, or the wrongness of Vietnam protestors, however those ideas may be true or not, is really off-topic. As is his ideas about obedience to authorities and to husbands. He believes his ideas are Biblical; many do not. Whether or not they are, the book would be better without this tangent. It frankly detracts, and does not help in making his point on the needs for forgiveness and wholeness in Christ. Yes, we need to forgive authorities. That doesn't mean that we are supposed to act like they are always right. But this is only a couple chapters in the book. Truly, Bevere presents nothing new. It's all there in the Gospels. He gives it an updated synthesis. But still, I needed to hear it. I needed to hear about giving up my rights, as Christ did, especially the right to defend myself. For after all, He very definitely gave up that right. The main reason I enjoyed this book, is that I needed to hear it's message. Maybe you do too.