"Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my concerns." Psalm 139:23 This was my verse this morning. Seems like God is always there willing and ready to speak to me. Precious...the Holy Spirit taking watchcare over my mind...if I will let Him. I know that at any point Satan is ready to attack, but if I will turn over my heart and mind to God, He will watch over me in weak times.
I've learned that sometimes, no matter what, people just don't like you. They will say unkind things about you and treat you unkindly. As I've secured my identity in Christ I'm more ok with it. It still hurts my feelings, but now I know what to do with these feelings of weakness. I have instructions...."But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you." Luke 6:27-28 Instead of fret over these people, now I pray for them. I don't try to figure out what I did wrong or obsess over what I can do right. I don't have to be secure in who I am in them, because I am secure in who I am in Christ. I don't have to necessarily like them, but I have been instructed to love them. "You have heard it said love your neighbor and hate your enemy, But I tell you; Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you." Matthew 5:43-44.
As I grow in my faith I find that sometimes you have to let relationships go. Some people just aren't good for you. But, in letting them go I am turning them over to my Father. I am praying for them...I am loving them through Him. I am just putting distance between us. I think that is the most loving thing you can do sometimes. I am allowing the Holy Spirit to guard my mind and my heart....I will no longer engage in unkind banter or actions. I will not gossip about them. Now, I am finding when others persecute me it just draws me that much closer to my Father. I take refuge in Him..."But my eyes look to You, Lord God. I seek refuge in You." Psalm 141:8
My prayer is that the Lord will continue to guard my mind. That my faith my will continue to be more deeply rooted in Him. That "The peace of God, which surpasses every thought will guard my heart and my mind in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:7 That I will see these unkindness as mere opportunities for my Father to be glorified and draw me into a more intimate relationship with Him.
Until next time...
2 comments:
That last sentence...POWERFUL!!!! I love it!! Debbi A.
Disliking others can be a disease so I guess we should just dislike their evils. We should dislike the falsehoods, deceptions, exploitations, BETRAYALS, and all other evils, but not the perpetrators. I know this is easier said than done. Disliking people is blinding, vengeful, and strife-making. It reminds me of a saying I heard once "Hating people is like burning your house down to get rid of a rat." It destroys the hater more than the hated. A disease that eats out the heart of the carrier! Wish I could remember who said that!:0)
Hatred stirreth up strife: but LOVE covereth all sins. ~ Proverb 10:12
Great job Cindy!!!
Post a Comment