I have been dialoging lately with a friend about some problems she is having. I recall when one of my relatives hurt my feelings very deeply several years ago. I have been dealing with my own emotions responding to someone else in my life who is not doing what I see that he should according to Scripture. While thinking and praying about this, God has revealed something to me. I need to focus on what I can do to GLORIFY HIM through all these situations in my life. When I start feeling frustrated or offended. His purpose through all of these situations is not necessarily about ME. I want to get to the place where I can trust Him and let go of my emotional responses. Not to say that it does not hurt when someone speaks ill of you, based on your adherence to a godly lifestyle. Especially when that someone is a family member whose love you crave and opinion you value. Not to say it doesn't feel like a slap in the face when you give godly counsel to someone who claims to be a believer, only to have him not follow what you can clearly see is the best path for his life. But I think that our godly response is to wait. On the Lord. Although man's opinion may not be what we want to hear, we can trust that GOD is pleased with our actions, and we can rest in the assurance that He will resolve the situation in His own time and for His good pleasure. I think of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in the fiery furnace. They did not worry about whether God could save them from the intense flames. They knew He could, but they chose to stand firm, worship and obey Him, WHETHER HE DID OR NOT. They did not have an emotional response, but a faithful response.
It is not always easy, but it is obedience. It is what the world sees, and questions. They cannot understand how we can stand strong against adversity and conflict. And God can use it to lead others to himself.
Oh, how I long to trust Him more...
"be still, and know that I am God..." Psalm 46:10
3 comments:
wow! this is what our pastor preached on today, out of Colossians 3. And much of the dialog afterward was saying the same thing - we receive peace when we are obedient to God - peace with God, not necessarily peace with others...
I was looking for a friend's blog and just read this! HOLY COW...it's what God wanted me to hear today! I may not know you but he really worked through you!!!
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