As the wife of a police officer, I’ve learned that certain things can cut straight to my heart. It’s not an open invitation for negativity, but hearing someone say they dislike officers is particularly painful. This recently happened, and it stung because I deeply love my family in blue. While I understand that not everyone will share my God-given love and passion for law enforcement, it doesn’t lessen the hurt of knowing that some people don’t appreciate the difficult job they do. Conversely, some people might dislike me simply because I’m married to a man in uniform. I find the unfairness of it all quite disheartening.
The Bible offers guidance on this subject:
Everyone must submit to governing authorities, for all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God. So anyone who rebels against authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and they will be punished. For the authorities do not strike fear in people who are doing right, but in those who are doing wrong. Would you like to live without fear of the authorities? Do what is right, and they will honor you. The authorities are God’s servants, sent for your good. But if you are doing wrong, of course you should be afraid, for they have the power to punish you. They are God’s servants, sent for the very purpose of punishing those who do what is wrong. So you must submit to them, not only to avoid punishment, but also to keep a clear conscience. (Romans 13:1-5 NLT)
When someone expressed their dislike for officers, I won’t lie; a part of me wanted to argue. And I’m generally not a confrontational person! But instead of engaging in a fight, as a Christian, I chose to use a better weapon – the best weapon: prayer. I can pray for hearts to be changed, for God to help people find common ground in accepting our officers and the purpose they serve.
As much as I’d like to passionately defend the profession, detailing the hardships, stresses, and horrible things they witness, I ultimately need to ask Jesus to fight that battle for me. It’s simply too overwhelming to handle alone. I can prepare myself beforehand, asking Him to equip me with loving responses for when these situations arise, because I certainly don’t want to contribute to the problem. Life isn’t fair, and I don’t expect it to be. However, I can pray and ask God for His perspective, trusting Him to work in hardened hearts – even my own – as insults come, fully trusting that His loving work will be done. I can ask for spiritual healing.
“I appeal to you, dear brothers and sisters, by the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ, to live in harmony with each other. Let there be no divisions in the church. Rather, be of one mind, united in thought and purpose” (1 Corinthians 1:10 NLT).
Melinda Merritt is a working wife of a Texas peace officer whom she is crazy about, mother of two young and rambunctious little boys (and 3 large fur babies), and a girl who is in love with Jesus! With no fancy title to own, she serves as a prayer warrior and greeter on the first impressions team at her church, she has a heart for the Law Enforcement community and is often found serving them at whatever capacity she is able, and still somehow finds time to write what God puts on her heart.