Family...

James 3:17, Matthew 5:43-45, Proverbs 10:12, Proverbs 19:11
Challenging People- yep, that sums up my entire family!
All of us can be grumpy, hardheaded and difficult to deal with at times (especially me haha). From time to time in life we encounter out of sorts people, sometimes we are related to them. I prayed this morning for God to remind me that emotions are highly contagious, so if the other person is angry, you will soon become angry, too. Instead of adding my own emotional energy to the outburst, by the grace of God I will make every effort to remain calm. "Much is forgiven, much loves"- I say that part of the verse to myself a million times when I am around my family. Who am I! That I expect my parents to love on me a certain way. God's design for the biblical family unit has not been my family. They are my family though and since we are all sinners but God has chosen to opened my eyes & has given me the living water I am now called to live a holy life. I am called to share this with them in love. I plant seeds in my example, in words & deeds, let the light of Christ shine. Only God can change people, only God can save people. He changed me, He saved me. They cannot deny the radical change Christ has done in me. I do need to take a step back and continue to surrender it all to the Lord. They are made in His image. They are loving on me the only way they know how, since they do not know Jesus in an intimate personal way. I would encourage all of you to continue to pray for family, friends, anyone who does not know Jesus. Share you life with them- be real & share Christ. Watch what the Lord does. We have a BIG God. God is always at work on them and us.
Lord, I love you. Thank you for your mercy & forgiveness. Praise you Jesus for taking the full wrath of God that I so rightly deserve. For overcoming my 2 biggest problems- sin & death- so that I may have life with you, life to the full! Thank you, you are my King. You are my Master. You are Everything. Abba, as I lay here in pain please help my attitude. All I want to do is abide in you Father, in my Jesus & your word. Holy Spirit, help me live out what I read & write & lead & teach. Gracious God continue to stretch my character to have Christlike love towards my family and to all people for your glory. Amen.