"For it is God's will that by doing good, you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish men." 1Peter 2:15 NIV
"A person's wisdom yields patience; it is to one's glory to overlook an offense." Proverbs 19:11 NIV
"Real wisdom, God's wisdom, begins with a holy life and is characterized by getting along with others. It is gentle and reasonable, overflowing with mercy and blessings, not hot one day and cold the next, not two-faced." James 3:17 The Message
Have you ever been to Frenchy's or a similar type of used clothing store? As a girl who loved to play dress up from the time I could barely dress myself, Frenchy's was a wonderful discovery. I could sift through bins and bins of clothing, looking for treasures that fit me and my personality, at dollar store prices. It is a challenge, as there are lots of things that don`t fit or aren`t my style or have some flaws. But for those few pieces that are diamonds in the rough, it`s so worth it!
Lately I have been working on sifting and sorting through my thoughts, as well as the comments that come my way from others. There are certainly lots of things running through my mind that are far from wise and loving. And I struggle with how to deal with the negativity and hurtfulness that I run into listening to others. It has occurred to me that often, it`s like I`m taking home the entire bin from Frenchy`s...good, bad, fit or misfit, ugly and spectacular. Why I am taking all those thoughts home to my heart...when there may only be one or two that truly fit me ?
Rather than taking it all to heart, I want to sift and sort until I know what fits and was made for me. Are the comments and thoughts gentle and reasonable, do they encourage getting along with others, are they merciful and a blessing to those who hear them ? Are they consistent with God`s Word and considerate of others ? If so, they fit me well, and I can take them home and show them off proudly. If not, God says they don`t belong in my heart and I can leave them behind.
Overlooking an offense is not easy, however with God`s help it can be done. In fact, in 1Peter 2:15 He challenges us to silence foolishness and ignorance by doing good ourselves. Maybe rather than taking home a thought that hurts or doesn`t fit, I can give that person a comment that is a blessing....sure sounds like an interesting way to end an argument! Jesus was a master at doing this very thing...I hope I can imitate Him some day.
Lord Jesus, help me to sift and sort through both my thoughts and the comments and actions of others. Rather than hanging onto everything I think or hear, help me to discard what is not from You. Teach me to hang onto only what fits into a holy life, and take that home to my heart. As I sort through others` comments, it would be easy to get offended. Help me to have Your patience, to overlook what might offend, and to offer something of a blessing in return. Amen
More Healing Word of God: 1Peter 2:23
"A person's wisdom yields patience; it is to one's glory to overlook an offense." Proverbs 19:11 NIV
"Real wisdom, God's wisdom, begins with a holy life and is characterized by getting along with others. It is gentle and reasonable, overflowing with mercy and blessings, not hot one day and cold the next, not two-faced." James 3:17 The Message
Have you ever been to Frenchy's or a similar type of used clothing store? As a girl who loved to play dress up from the time I could barely dress myself, Frenchy's was a wonderful discovery. I could sift through bins and bins of clothing, looking for treasures that fit me and my personality, at dollar store prices. It is a challenge, as there are lots of things that don`t fit or aren`t my style or have some flaws. But for those few pieces that are diamonds in the rough, it`s so worth it!
Lately I have been working on sifting and sorting through my thoughts, as well as the comments that come my way from others. There are certainly lots of things running through my mind that are far from wise and loving. And I struggle with how to deal with the negativity and hurtfulness that I run into listening to others. It has occurred to me that often, it`s like I`m taking home the entire bin from Frenchy`s...good, bad, fit or misfit, ugly and spectacular. Why I am taking all those thoughts home to my heart...when there may only be one or two that truly fit me ?
Rather than taking it all to heart, I want to sift and sort until I know what fits and was made for me. Are the comments and thoughts gentle and reasonable, do they encourage getting along with others, are they merciful and a blessing to those who hear them ? Are they consistent with God`s Word and considerate of others ? If so, they fit me well, and I can take them home and show them off proudly. If not, God says they don`t belong in my heart and I can leave them behind.
Overlooking an offense is not easy, however with God`s help it can be done. In fact, in 1Peter 2:15 He challenges us to silence foolishness and ignorance by doing good ourselves. Maybe rather than taking home a thought that hurts or doesn`t fit, I can give that person a comment that is a blessing....sure sounds like an interesting way to end an argument! Jesus was a master at doing this very thing...I hope I can imitate Him some day.
Lord Jesus, help me to sift and sort through both my thoughts and the comments and actions of others. Rather than hanging onto everything I think or hear, help me to discard what is not from You. Teach me to hang onto only what fits into a holy life, and take that home to my heart. As I sort through others` comments, it would be easy to get offended. Help me to have Your patience, to overlook what might offend, and to offer something of a blessing in return. Amen
More Healing Word of God: 1Peter 2:23
Learning to listen with an open mind is a real jewel, however it is hard to master sometimes, I have come to the conclusion that it is none of my business what others say about me I just need to listen to the voice of the one who created me.Amen
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