People are Not Easy to Love no. 25

“Rejoice in union with the Lord always! I will say it again: rejoice! Let everyone see how reasonable and gentle you are. The Lord is near! Don’t worry about anything; on the contrary, make your requests known to God by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving. Then God’s shalom , passing all understanding, will keep your hearts and minds safe in union with the Messiah Yeshua. In conclusion, brothers, focus your thoughts on what is true, noble, righteous, pure, lovable or admirable, on some virtue or on something praiseworthy” (Philippians (Php) 4:4-8). There is a tendency for people to worry about all sorts of things and Christians are not immune. We worry when we should be praying. People are not easy to love because they worry when they should be praying.

I will never fail to emphasize the importance of prayer. I think a lot of our problems within and without Christianity is linked to lack of prayer. Being a person that brings their requests before God is important. Prayer is a right relationship with God in that we are asking Him to be in control. And giving God the control over situations is a problem we face way too often.

When we bring our requests to God for His resolution we need to be thankful. What better situation than having the creator of everything willing to solve our problems no matter how monumental or trivial? I don’t know about you BUT that makes me thankful. Knowing that the same God that created everything is listening and in total control to help me should bring me peace.

When we bring our requests to God for His resolution that should grant us peace. He will be in union with us. He will keep our hearts and minds safe. And I should have peace when I bring my requests to the only one that can truly handle all situations.

Instead of worrying, we should focus “on what is true, noble, righteous, pure, lovable or admirable, on some virtue or on something praiseworthy”. Far too often we focus on the negative BUT prayer allows our worry to dissipate and our focus to move to how He wants us to live His example. Far too often we take things to God and then still let them take up our mind space. We think way too much about problems we gave to God. Well, which is it? Did I give it to God or am I still holding on to the problem for myself? I have to make that choice of whether I am going to worry about the situation or if I am truly giving it to Him. I need to worry about living His example and that does not involve worry.

Worry can lead us to anger and that is not the way to be in a right relationship with God. “Therefore, my dear brothers, let every person be quick to listen but slow to speak, slow to get angry; for a person’s anger does not accomplish God’s righteousness” (Ya'akov (Jas) 1:19-20). I need to give my worry over to Him and focus on the right way of living that honors Him. Loving God and my neighbor is going to take a lot more prayer than worry. If we want to be a better Ambassador of His Kingdom, if we want to be a better example of His love, if we want to be easier to love, then we need prayer.

Grace and Shalom to your home.

I love you. I forgive you. Have a blessed and abundant day!

#ThinkBetter #BeBetter #NoKingButChrist #EmbraceTheWithin #NotMyWayYHWH