For some life is tough. They miss their children, really like their friends and hate dissension. God has been good, but some days they're ready to move on. Won't it be great when joy will be abundant and trivial things won't interfere? Maybe God knew that his creation wouldn't be happy with immortality. Yes, some look forward to heaven to be delivered from the stress of life!
Proverbs 12:25 (ESV) "Anxiety in a man's heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad."
Part of being "weighed down" is dwelling on challenges. People have a tendency to "build cases" against people or situations. For example, if I walk into a restaurant and see a Christian friend sitting at the bar, my first impression is that he's there to drink booze. "What a jerk!" He tells everyone he hates drinking. He probably comes here to party and carouse." I think. The longer I "think" the more irrational I become! My friend is likely sitting in the bar at the restaurant because of space or a specific situation. I have unfairly judged him and harshly so!
Luke 6:37 (ESV) “Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven..."
The emphasis on Luke 6:37 is "right and fair" thinking! Even some friends are ready to judge and to judge harshly! The fair thing to do when I see the Christian in the bar is to say "hello", be friendly, never assume, don't share the situation with others and love that person (whether they're innocent or have failed your expectations).
It seems that when a person feels the best others are displeased with how they feel. It makes people stressed when they disappoint friends. Some friends actually get too involved in the lives of others! (They become busybodies!) Right now are you weighed down about anything? If so, pray for direction and follow the direction God gives! You're not responsible for the insecurities of others and while they're examining your life with a microscope, problems loom in their own.
Many wish they were perfect. They all fail! The devil steps in and puts roadblocks into a Christian's life, their family system and in the church. Friends are to help fellow Christians by support and prayer. Gossip and uninformed judgments are unfair. A person's heart is known by themselves only and by God. Some pray often for a pure heart, but obstacles do get in the way. That's where you're responsible for self-control and for controlling yourself. Others can't do it for you.
The Serenity Prayer by Reinholdt Niebuhr says:
"God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I
can;
and wisdom to know the difference."
There are just some things that are ingrained or out of the individuals realm of control. For example, I hate rock music and see it as utterly destructive. However, I have learned to live in a world where most people think differently. That's God's answer to my prayer for serenity (peace)! I am incapable of changing the entertainment choices of the world so I focus on the hope that is in righteousness only. I have made peace with that! Rock music still rules, but I'm not miserable.
Scripture always provides the answer to everything, even anxiety:
Colossians 3:15 "And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts..."
The "peace of Christ" goes right along with the serenity prayer. We can't help how others feel and think about us as individuals, but if we have peace in our own hearts that's what counts! It would be great if others contributed to that peace that people seek by understanding, love and trust.
A Moral Inventory is a useful tool for change and peace:
What was your challenge for the day? Were you tempted, critical, jealous, covetous or sinful?
How did you handle the challenge? Was your response to the challenge rational, without over-emotion and righteous?
What was the outcome of your response to the challenge? Did things get better or worse?
How do you feel about the outcome? Did others get annoyed, angry or hurt with your response? Do you feel better or stressed out?
What does scripture say about the challenge? Seek direction in the word for appropriate ways to handle challenges. Anger, resentment, punishment, etc should never be the way to handle a challenge.
After reviewing scripture, how should you have handled the challenge in the right way?
Is it possible to correct the wrong outcome of your challenge? How can you make it right?
Apply scripture to the challenge. Revisit the way you handled it. Did the outcome improve using Christlike methods?
How do you now feel?
Make a list of your blessings for today: Great kids, prayer answered, etc.
What is your scripture verse for today? (Any topic which is helpful!)
The Moral Inventory is used extensively for irrational behaviors. I have modified it for the Christian who truly seeks God's will in all things.
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