I have been in a bad mood for about a week. I have had to force myself to be nice to people (and I can guarantee that at home nice is not how my hubby would describe me this past week.) I am not even completely sure what has put me in this mood, but I have decided that I am tired of it. So I just googled (yes, I googled): "What does the Bible say about being in a bad mood?" I ended up on a Web site (http://www.victorious.org/) and a Check Your Attitude blog from a Dr. Dale A. Robbins. As I read the blog it gave me some insight into my bad attitude and also gave Bible verses related to it. Then it gave 3 steps with accompanying Bible verses about how to develop a good attitude.
This blog made me think. Here I am going through my week in a bad mood and I could have been in a good mood if I had just prayed about it and given it all to God. Even though I am unsure what is causing my mood had I bothered to let God help me with it I would probably be in a much better mood than I am in. And that of course made me realize that if I would involve God in all of my hindrances I could be free from them. Not free of the responsibility of them (i.e. I must still pay my bills) but free from the excessive guilt and burdens I feel from the weight of the responsibility. Why is it so hard as humans to ask for help? When did we decide we were invincible and that we don't need anybody and especially not God? When did I decide that I could do things better than the Almighty Lord who created the heavens and the earth? Now it is time for me to step back and remember that I was made in His image but I was not made to be Him. I believe that God does give us tests and some of those tests come with pain and tears but like I said in a previous post - He never promised to keep us from hurt but to hold onto us when hurt came. I must remember to be more humble and less willful. "Be still, and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world." Psalm 46:10 (New Living Translation)
Lord, please forgive my pride. Please help me to remember that you are the Almighty and that I cannot even compare to you! Help me to seek You out when I need you and to praise you for all of the blessings I have received but also for the trials I have seen for they help me to know you better. In Jesus name. Amen!
Friday, October 28, 2011
Thursday, October 6, 2011
Sacrifices
I heard a commercial this morning. The man was asking who is going to reward you for all of the sacrifices you have made in your life for others. His answer was you will reward yourself and in this particular case you will do it with a Lexus. This irritated me (not because of the Lexus part.) Are we as a society now saying that we shouldn't make sacrifices for others because it is the right thing to do or because we love someone but because we want a reward from it? I truly doubt this is what God wants to see. I teach Sunday School so I should reward myself with a new pair of shoes every week for sacrificing my time for the children. Um, NO!!!!! I teach Sunday School because I am trying to teach God's littlest lambs to grow in their faith. I know my faith isn't perfect and I struggle dearly but I am trying. And I want these kiddos to know God and know that He is always there for them. The Bible talks about doing things for others but in none of the verses I have read does it say but make sure you reward yourself after.
Some Examples:
Galatians 6:10 - So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.
Acts 20:35 - In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, "It is more blessed to give than to receive."
These are just two examples. And I know that it talks about doing good works in the Lord's name and that your reward will be life in Heaven. However, what I am talking about is expecting worldly rewards. I fear that as our society becomes more worldly than we have ever been than the crime and corruption that already seem to be rampant will worsen. So, what is a Christian to do? Does this mean we are never allowed to have nice things? No. It means that we should things for others without expecting anything in return and that we should work for the things we want. Just make sure that you have your priorities straight. God, church, family and friends - these are more important than any one thing in the world. God will provide. It may not be the way you want it but He always will. I truly believe this and that, my friends, is called faith.
Some Examples:
Galatians 6:10 - So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.
Acts 20:35 - In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, "It is more blessed to give than to receive."
These are just two examples. And I know that it talks about doing good works in the Lord's name and that your reward will be life in Heaven. However, what I am talking about is expecting worldly rewards. I fear that as our society becomes more worldly than we have ever been than the crime and corruption that already seem to be rampant will worsen. So, what is a Christian to do? Does this mean we are never allowed to have nice things? No. It means that we should things for others without expecting anything in return and that we should work for the things we want. Just make sure that you have your priorities straight. God, church, family and friends - these are more important than any one thing in the world. God will provide. It may not be the way you want it but He always will. I truly believe this and that, my friends, is called faith.
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