It's called SIN!!!
While we can't make everything perfect in this world, we can try to do what Jesus would do. It's certainly not always easy, but He lived His life as the perfect example...to show us what happens when we do things His way......VICTORY!
The path to victory might not be easy. As a matter of fact, many times it's an uphill battle. But I've learned that when I do what Jesus wants me to do, when I handle things the way He wants me to handle them........the process brings me peace of mind and heart. It's an awesome thing!
Have you ever had a situation that you just couldn't seem to resolve? Something that aggrevated you to no end and no matter what you did, you couldn't seem to make it better? Well, I have. As a matter of fact, I've been dealing with one particular situation for YEARS!
After alot of tears and frustration one day recently, I discussed the situation with my BIL, Chuck. He and my baby sister, Shaana, have been a huge inspiration for me and my family as we've watched them live out their faith. We see evidence of Christ working in their lives, so we go to them for advice quite a bit!
Chuck took me straight to the book of Philippians for the answer to my problem.
Philippians 2: 2-18 (ERV)
Be United and Care for Each Other
2 Think about what we have in Christ: the encouragement he has brought us, the comfort of his love, our sharing in his Spirit, and the mercy and kindness he has shown us. If you enjoy these blessings, 2 then do what will make my joy complete: Agree with each other, and show your love for each other. Be united in your goals and in the way you think. 3 In whatever you do, don’t let selfishness or pride be your guide. Be humble, and honor others more than yourselves. 4 Don’t be interested only in your own life, but care about the lives of others too.
Learn From Christ to Be Unselfish
5 In your life together, think the way Christ Jesus thought.
6 He was like God in every way,
but he did not think that his being equal with God was something to use for his own benefit.
7 Instead, he gave up everything, even his place with God.
He accepted the role of a servant, appearing in human form.
During his life as a man,
8 he humbled himself by being fully obedient to God,
even when that caused his death—death on a cross.
9 So God raised him up to the most important place
and gave him the name that is greater than any other name.
10 God did this so that every person will bow down to honor the name of Jesus.
Everyone in heaven, on earth, and under the earth will bow.
11 They will all confess, “Jesus Christ is Lord,”
and this will bring glory to God the Father.
but he did not think that his being equal with God was something to use for his own benefit.
7 Instead, he gave up everything, even his place with God.
He accepted the role of a servant, appearing in human form.
During his life as a man,
8 he humbled himself by being fully obedient to God,
even when that caused his death—death on a cross.
9 So God raised him up to the most important place
and gave him the name that is greater than any other name.
10 God did this so that every person will bow down to honor the name of Jesus.
Everyone in heaven, on earth, and under the earth will bow.
11 They will all confess, “Jesus Christ is Lord,”
and this will bring glory to God the Father.
Be the People God Wants You to Be
12 My dear friends, you always obeyed what you were taught. Just as you obeyed when I was with you, it is even more important for you to obey now that I am not there. So you must continue to live in a way that gives meaning to your salvation. Do this with fear and respect for God. 13 Yes, it is God who is working in you. He helps you want to do what pleases him, and he gives you the power to do it.14 Do everything without complaining or arguing 15 so that you will be blameless and pure, children of God without any fault. But you are living with evil people all around you, who have lost their sense of what is right. Among those people you shine like lights in a dark world, 16 and you offer them the teaching that gives life. So I can be proud of you when Christ comes again. You will show that my work was not wasted—that I ran in the race and won.
17 Your faith makes you give your lives as a sacrifice in serving God. Maybe I will have to offer my own life with your sacrifice. But if that happens, I will be glad, and I will share my joy with all of you. 18 You also should be glad and share your joy with me.
Although it's not natural for me to willingly "lay my life down" for those who do not care about me, or to knowingly let someone take advantage of me or use me, I'm learning that my willingness to be kind and concerned with the welfare of others (no matter what) has positive reactions from them. In my particular situation, there is probably confusion as to the change in my behavior or response to this particular situation. Although I was not necessarily wrong in my thoughts on the situation before, my eagerness to now serve has had a positive effect and the situation has improved.
I know what the Word says and I believe Christ knows best. But the human side of me wants to do things my way sometimes. If I'm right about something, why should I give in? Because sometimes we have to in order for others to see Christ in us. And showing grace to others can have such a great impact on the situation.
When Jesus lives in our hearts, we won't always react in a way that is expected by this world. We may give away money to someone who doesn't deserve it or even allow someone to take advantage of us. But after taking this particular scripture to heart and applying it to this situation, I can better see how we are blessed.....if nothing else but because we are obeying God's Word. His ways won't always make sense to us, but we have to trust that He knows best and He is working things out according to His plan.
