Originally published Thursday, 12 January 2017.
Meanie: Dropped the ball and never answered me when I emailed her.
Selfish & silent: Promised me something and then didn't follow through.
High-priced: Charged me an arm and a leg, ran away and left me standing with a huge bill.
Go-Getter: Hurt me.
Liar: Rejected me with a bold-faced lie I can't seem to get past.
Forgetter: Didn't invest in my heart; she dissed it.
Abandoner: Walked away not following through on a promise.
Hater: Ignored me and grabbed hands with the popular folk.
Condemner: Tore my good intentions apart.
The story is titled: They'll all reject you.
The cast is nefarious.
The plot goes like this: I'm a speck of dust. Everyone knows I am forgettable, invaluable and pretty much unseen within the grand story called their life, their plans and their needs. I'm disposable.
Bah-humbug!
The enemies appear to be everyone. That's a problem. That's a big problem. I recognize it.
Because, in reality, the enemy isn't these enemies, the enemy is the enemy. He's thriving when he contriving. He's jumping for joy, when he's ruined ours. He's grinding up love into tiny grounds that spread hate. The longer he let's them brew the more bitter it tastes. When we drink, and we get poisoned, not with eyes to see God, but with eyes of anger and vile.
What has been brewing in your heart - is it peace and God's presence or is a list of people who've hurt you?
For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. Romans 8:13-14
My flesh wants to teach these people a lesson. My Spirit knows people are hurting, just like me. My Spirit knows, you can't read the motives on one's heart. My Spirit knows, people need love, not condemnation.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Gal. 5:22
If I am in the Spirit, I shine Spirit. But, how do I move back to peace-calming Spirit rather than anger-brewing flesh?
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13
5 Ways to Be Led By the Holy Spirit, Not Your Flesh
- Ask God to fill you with all joy and peace.
- Ask God to help you trust him more.
- Move into a place of continual worship, praise and thanksgiving.
- Dwell only on what is good, true and excellent.
- Be open to how God is teaching or leading you in a given moment.
As I practice my heart through the continual cycle of this list, I find my heart is no longer being wrung through the ringer. It softens. It sees others pain. It knows, God has a plan, even in my pain.
The Spirit confirms, I am His child and the love he surrounds me with, is more than enough to fill every hole of damage.
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