It is not always all about you. Things happen in life…some good…some not so good. Often what is perceived as a personal slight has no personal intention behind it. You could never know what another is dealing with in their life. A careless word or action could be just that. Forgive often. Pray for the person and move on with your life.
For it is written:
“For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.”
Life is truly such an awesome gift from God every single moment! How do you open your gift? Do you tear through it haphazardly and miss the beauty of the wrapping? Do you miss the layers of “tissue” moments it affords? Do you really see the preciousness or do you wish for something else or something more? Do you discard life moments like used paper and bows?
Really look at how you are spending your life. It is exquisite if you have eyes wide open. It is magnificent if you listen carefully. It is priceless if you spend each minute
Have you ever had a conversation with someone and something said, maybe just one word, shifts everything? It is as if a key opens the door to something you may have long forgotten or may have never even seen before. That key may bring you to a totally different place in your heart (for it is always a heart issue).
God often uses people to orchestrate His plan for your life. Despise not seemingly small beginnings. Pay attention. Listen. Do not judge. He is always working in your life. Do not miss it!
The other day a person, who sits in church every Sunday, told me that they pass the same woman daily on their walk and have chosen not to say hello or even give her a smile. She appears unfriendly so they have decided that she will never respond and therefore they will never show any kindness to her.
WOW! Talk about heart issues (and it is always a heart issue!). I could not help but think that this very woman could probably use a kind word-not a lengthy conversation, just a simple hello or smile.
There is so much division swirling around today in our country and in the world. We appear divided on every front…race, creed, political proclivity, etc. I cannot help but think that corporate division manifests as we allow division into our heart and into our individual lives. It starts with each of us.
If you follow Christ you are called to love one another. That does not necessarily mean that you will like everyone but you are called to love them. Seems confusing, doesn’t it? Let’s go a bit deeper. This includes loving yourself and those in your own household.
Deception is everywhere today. Pay attention. Use discernment. Seek wisdom. Be honest with yourself and others. Pursue truth. Abide in His word. Read the Bible. Get it into your heart (for it is always a heart issue). Walk it out in your life. Stay ever close under the shadow of His wings.
Follow faithfully His moral code and “unfollow” the ways of the world.
In this life you will not like everyone. That is OK. You will not like everything that happens. That is OK also. Just remember to be kind and gracious to all you encounter. Do not let circumstance dictate your response!
To carry extra weight in the natural is unhealthy. It can affect your overall health and tax your heart. To carry extra weight in the spiritual realm is also unhealthy. And, it is always a heart issue here!
The extra weight of anger, resentment, bitterness, rejection and more can weigh you down so very much and affect your emotional well-being and every relationship in your life. At the root of most if not all heart issues is the issue of un-forgiveness. If you choose not to forgive others for things said or done in the past, you actually hold your
When dealing with stage 4 cancer in 1992, I chose to use the Word of God as medicine. I wrote out and diligently spoke every healing scripture over myself several times a day. I was persistent and I prefaced each citation with, “It is written.” When I was too weak to speak all the scriptures, I simply said, “It is written.” I posted this phrase all over the house so I would see it throughout the day.
I walked through this season alone with God without any support in the natural. My prognosis in the natural was death. My firm
If you are looking for perfection you will be sadly disappointed. No thing and no person in life is “perfect.” However, if you are settled in your heart (and it is always a heart issue) you will find life is about as close to perfect as possible. You will have a peace that surpasses all understanding despite what may be swirling around you at the moment.
Pray without ceasing. Live holy. Be responsible. Put God first and all else will fall into place. Life does not have to be perfect to be wonderful!
