Monthly Archives: April 2016
Resentment can result from an actual or perceived wrongdoing form another. For example, most of us have been publicly humiliated – maybe even by a friend. Sometimes we protest, sometimes we don’t. That can also be true when another belittles us privately or puts us down on a regular basis. I have numerous Christian friends who have found it difficult to get over the humiliation and the resentment that can grow from this kind of treatment. I have heard it…..
It is easy to forget the importance of forgiveness – how not forgiving another person can tear you apart, body and soul. At the same time, your resentment may not have any impact on the person you can’t forgive! That is why it is such a blessing if you have Christian friends who practice forgiveness. The more you receive forgiveness that seems undeserved, the more it illustrates Christ living in us. The act of unconditional forgiveness is so unexpected that…..
It feels good to be proud. Proud of what we have accomplished through hard work, proud when people look up to us. And certainly we should take pride in the fact that we are unique and special to God (and perhaps show gratitude for the gifts He has given us by serving others). Yet should we keep our pride in check? Proverbs 16:18 reminds us, “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.” So don’t be surprised when…..
When we see that humility is something infinitely deeper than contrition and accept it as our participation in the life of Jesus, we begin to learn that it is our true nobility. Here on earth, Jesus humbled himself and was obedient and was obedient unto death. His humility gave his death its value and so became our redemption. It was our pride that made this redemption needful; it if from this pride that we need above everything else to be…..
Despair can be devastating. When you are in a situation that is hard to bear, and you don’t see the situation changing, that to me is the definition of despair. I have some dear friends who have had financial difficulties for years, even decades. They don’t see how they can possibly get out of their financial hole, and because they can’t see how, they often despair. So why does God let us despair? Let’s look at 2 Corinthians 1:8-98: “We do…..
As Christians, we understand that the way out of despair is not necessarily going to be for our situation to change, but for us to let God turn our despair to hope. Hope in the fact that God is who he promises he is. Hope that while money comes in handy on earth, our true inheritance is in heaven. Hope that God loves you anyway, even if family and friends can disappoint us. So what exactly is God’s promise? Let’s…..
The Bible instructs us, time and time again, to turn our energies and our focus toward the Lord, not toward worldly, envious yearnings for fame, fortune, outward beauty – you pick the poison. Remember Corinthians 13:4? “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.” This means turning to “love thy neighbor” and wishing well for them. Just practicing this can change your heart if you work on it. After all,…..
If you are blessed enough to have a Christian friend who strives to be content, even when times are bad, hold onto them like a life preserver! That friend is a true source of peace and strength, and he or she can help keep you focused on what really matters – our relationship with God and our spiritual growth and living testament each and every day. That is where true contentment comes from. Being a worry wart will never bring…..
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