Love Thy Neighbor

I'm still sick today, and for the past two days, one of my neighbors has been blasting their music, which hasn't helped any of my symptoms. I don't want to go outside since I'm sick, and no one has been able to get her to open the door to ask her to turn it down. So, short of calling the police or breaking down the door and demolishing the radio, what can I do?

Well, when I'm having trouble with a neighbor playing loud music, I do what I call "music wars." I turn up my worship music to a level that is loud enough I can no longer hear theirs, but not so loud as to disturb the neighbors. Sometimes I'll put in headphones. Whether or not it completely blocks the other music is irrelevant. Worship music puts me in the right mindset. Rather than obsessing over the annoyance, I focus on God, and praise Him.

So, today's post is going to be about dealing with annoying neighbors (in case you hadn't guessed). What does the Bible tell us about neighbors, and dealing with people who annoy you?

Leviticus 24:19 - Anyone who injures their neighbor is to be injured in the same manner.

I just grinned like a loon picturing my neighbor strapped to a chair forced to listen to horribly loud music until their sinus headache returns full force. Oops! I'm still not in the right mindset. Moving on...

Psalm 79:4 - We are objects of contempt to our neighbors, of scorn and derision to those around us.

Because we serve God, our neighbors will hate and come against us. - John 15:19 says "If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you."

Still not what I was looking for...

Proverbs 3:29 - Do not plot harm against your neighbor, who lives trustfully near you.

Okay. Okay. I'm listening. I won't break her radio.

Matthew 5:43-46 - "You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes the sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that?"

Okay. Love my neighbors and my enemies. Difficult, but doable.

So, what do we do when people annoy us?

Proverbs 12:16 - Fools show their annoyance at once, but the prudent overlook an insult.

I'm not always good at this. I mean, if you insult me, I may not react. Outwardly. But that doesn't mean I react the correct way inside. Something to work on: meet insults with a smile, inside and out.

Matthew 6:14 - For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.

Forgive if you want to be forgiven. 

And there is one more I just remembered that fits perfectly:
"My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires" (James 1:19-20).

There is a lot more to that chapter, so I encourage everyone to read it!