It is easy to lose control of our emotions when someone who wants to hurt us seems to have gained the upper hand.

Fred had been falsely accused of stealing and was in danger of losing his job. The man out to get him was a clever foe. Fred was angry and frustrated—angry over the false accusation and frustrated because he couldn't convince his boss to believe him.

Sometimes Fred would lose control of his emotions. On one occasion, he declared vehemently that he was going to kill his enemy. At other times he would talk about suicide. His mood would swing back and forth from bristling defiance to forlorn surrender.

The writer of Psalm 56 was also the object of undeserved hatred. His crafty enemies were actually threatening his life. But he didn't lose control of himself. Instead, he talked to God openly and honestly. He reviewed the facts and then asked God to come to his rescue—and He did!

To be wrongfully hated and bitterly attacked is not easy to take. But we don't need to give in to our emotions. We can pray to God and place our trust in Him. When we do, He will respond. He will either deliver us or give us the strength to endure the wrong and love our foes—always!   — Herbert Vander Lugt