We all struggle with a variety of areas in our Walk. I am no different! Lately, God has had His finger on one particular area; my tongue! As you know, I share a home with my 16 year old. As you probably have guessed by now, he frustrates the life out of me! Sometimes, I have a hard time remembering that I love him--he "pushes my buttons" like no one else can. I am desperately trying not to bash him with my words. I especially am trying not to use words like "always" and "never" as they are words that simply are not accurate. My struggle is that when he frustrates me, I throw the entire relationship with him (16 years) into one pot. The truth is that he, with all his issues, was a delight until the last couple of years. So throwing his entire life in the pot of frustration is not fair. But when I see red--its all I see and my memory fails me.
1Peter 3:9 Never return evil for evil or insult for insult (scolding, tongue-lashing or berating) but on the contrary blessing (praying for their welfare, happiness and protection, truly pitying and loving) them. For know that to this you have been called, that you may yourselves inherit a blessing, bringing welfare, happiness and protection. (Amplified)
When we put ourselves in a position of defense, we create a condition in our hearts that invites offense. Think about this for a minute. If I am continuously feeling like my child's behavior is a personal attack, and I am constantly defending my position as the authority in our home. I have created in my heart a condition that invites offense. This is a dangerous condition! If my heart suffers with this condition, it will always be looking for offenses and the enemy will have a field day with that. It will transfer itself to every relationship. Soon, I will have only enmity rather than love. Let us not forget, sin takes us further than we ever want to go and keeps us longer than we ever wanted to stay.
But God... by His grace,and through His Holy Spirit, shows me the areas in which I need to grow. As I pray and ask Him to create in me a pure heart, He reveals the ugliness and sets out on the mission of removing it. It is a process, and if I keep myself on the alter and allow Him to do the work, He will rid me of this hideous condition and bring me one step closer to resembling Him!
As I look back over my life, I see that this condition has plagued my heart for many years and caused many failed relationships. Now that I see it, (now that God has revealed it) I am disgusted by it and ready for Him to remove it. This is not to say I won't be frustrated by my teenager or anyone else for that matter; but I can choose how I respond and God will enable me to walk it out the way He would--with love and compassion, pity and prayer. My new position will be offensive rather than defensive. This is how we score! This is how I will win my race!
Are you asking God to show you areas in which you need growth? He is gentle and merciful. His yoke is light. He is faithful to forgive and remove the diseases of our hearts. Amen!
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