True Reflections

You have to have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. -Philippians 2:5 (NLT)


So.... how is your attitude? Everyday I feel like I fall short in reflecting His image... mainly because the human nature comes out so freely... The good thing is that He understands that because he created us this way.


Be aware of how you react to situations in your life this week. How do you react when your children are pushing you to the limit? How do you react when that annoying driver cuts you off? Or how about to the lady who blocks the aisle at the grocery store? How do you react to your significant other or friend that says something that rubs you the wrong way? Our attitudes are a very powerful thing. Have you ever thought about what happened after you honked and screamed and through your hands in different gestures at the annoying driver? Was your reasoning for your fit "well he made me so mad because of his driving!" or "well it's not my fault he can't learn how to drive" or "well serves him right, I hope he saw all of it"? Was your reasoning for the angry/irritated expression on your face to the woman blocking the aisle "I was running late and she was blocking the whole aisle!!!" or "she should be more considerate of others so it served her right" or "I was having a bad day and not in the mood for any more road blocks"? How do you justify your reactions to your kids or your significant others?


Now... let's look at it from the another view. Let's talk about the annoying driver. Because of his driving 'skills' how did you view him? How did his reaction to your driving effect you? Because you weren't getting somewhere at the pace he wanted to he cut you off or whatever... In return it effected you negatively. Then after that you responded with more negativity and IF he was paying attention to you then he probably was effected that way too. Do you see the pattern of bad attitudes? What about that lady at the grocery store? Are you such the perfect shopper yourself that you have never accidentally been over too far in an aisle? Have you never had to just scooch a little with that sweet little "oh! I am sorry hehehe"? How did the person respond to you that had to wait for you to move so they could pass? Or maybe you are perfect and have never had to scooch in the aisle BUT you were the one that had to move out of the way of the item on the shelf the person next to you needed. That lady in the aisle has been you. How would you have felt if someone treated you in the way that you treated them? What about your kids? What about the spouse? the friend?


Now let's go a little deeper if you may... We ignore, swear against, get angry, jealous, annoyed, just plain ugly sometimes. How does our Dad respond to you? When you get too busy to give him 5 minutes how does he speak to you? How about when you say "omg" and use His name like it's just another word with no importance? Does he huff and puff and yell at us for being so disrespectful??? The answer is no. When we put our cart in the middle of our road with him he waits. and waits. and waits some more. He doesn't push us out of the way or yell at us or treat us like we are the most annoying person ever. When we cut him off in the middle of something he is doing how does he respond? Does he give us the lovely hand gestures we gave to the annoying driver? No. How about when we push him and push him and push him even more just as our children have done to us? He answers with peace, love and understanding to us.


This is something that amazes me every minute of my life. If God can be so filled with love for ALL of this human race, then why can't we reflect that too? We are human. BUT don't let that be your excuse for your awful attitude on those bad days. What you can do though is this-When those bad days come, praise Him. When your kids drive you insane, praise Him. When your spouse crosses the line, praise Him. When a friend does something hurtful, praise Him. "give thanks for everything" Ephesians 5:20 (NLT). EVERYTHING not just the good things. When you are focusing on the love you don't reflect the bad. You reflection/attitude effects others. We are put here to show love to EVERYONE.

How did your attitude reflect in a current situation? Did it trully reflect love? Do you think your reflection helped someone see love or feel love? If you speak words of love and show love then others will be curious how to get that same love. We are the body. It's about being selfless. You are not more special than the guy in the car in front of you. Remember that your reaction could stop the negative.


Be the change you want to see in this world. Don't just talk about it. Change your attitude and be aware of it at all times.

Love-A

Give

If your enemies are hungry, give them food to eat. If hey are thirsty, give them water to drink. -Proverbs 25:21 (NLT)

You must decide in your heart how much to give. And don't give reluctantly or in response pressure. "For God loves a person who give cheerfully."

-2 Cor 9:7 (NLT)

The Lord gives his people strength. The Lord blesses them with peace. -Psalm 29:11 (NLT)

"I will reward them with a long life and give them my salvation." -Psalm 91:16 (NLT)

Our Dad gives and gives to us everday... If we are his body then we should give the same way... Don't give with strings, don't give out of obligation, don't give to make yourself feel better... Give because we are here to give God's love to others... Show the people you encounter why His love is worth dying for... Give with a grateful heart ♥

Learning to Shut up

Too much talk leads to sin. Be sensible and keep your mouth shut. -Proverbs 10:19 (NLT)

The tongue can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap the consequences. -Proverbs 18:21 (NLT)

Oooooh the good ole' book of Proverbs, how I love thee...

Anyone who knows me pretty well knows that I have always loved to talk... talk, talk and talk and talk some more... I think I started taking advantage of my freedom of speach when i moved out I spoke even more than anyone thought possible. Growing up my dad burned the phrases "speak when spoken too" and "it's better to be seen and not heard" into my mind over and over. I was always in trouble for my mouth, so you think that in 27 years I may have learned many lessons on the consequences of 'overspeaking', and I have. But sometimes even when we know what the end result can be we do it anyways out of habit.

I asked God a few months ago to seriously change me. Work in me in a way that I never really allowed him to before... be raw, honest, brutal if he may... little did I know what I was getting myself into. The changes and growth have been so amazing to be a part of, but reaping what I have sown has been terrible.

Over and over I remind myself that I am made in his image not the world's image. At the same time Satan tries to remind me that I am still this drama seaking, overspeaking, too blunt, harsh woman. My stronghold is my mouth. Honestly, I think that most of the human race struggles with this same thing but makes excuses for it. I have been known to use some excuses more than once for my words that have spilled out. I have justified many of my words and tried to explain my reasons for them. The problem is this: our tongues are our biggest enemies... They hurt people even if our heart never meant to do so. Sometimes the best thing for us to do is drop the excuse of "I was just being open and honest" and instead just shut up. Stop laying everything out on the table because you think that is the right thing to do. Pray first and then wait... be still... don't say anything.... our lack of words may do more healing then any speaking could...

Have you ever been in a situation where there were so many words exchanged that you start looking for every way to prove that the other person is wrong and your words were right? Then when you respond it just keeps going and going and going? What would have happened if in the very very beginning you would have let God do ALL the talking and you would have just shut up? I think this all the time.

I am infamous for 'fixing' or thinking that I am doing the 'fixing' by talking things out. I am not saying that talking things out is the incorrect way of doing things, BUT sometimes God wants us to quit going to eachother and go to Him so he can do the 'fixing'. Another phrase comes to mind from childhood when I think of this thought "silence is golden".

Maybe all those times I got offended by my dad's comments I should have taken them into consideration... Maybe my big mouth at times needs a piece of tape over it. Are you overtalking? Are you being a peacemaker through all your explaining or questioning? Or is your talking making the conflict grow?

Before we speak we need to think to ourselves "If I tell this person this, is this going to cause conflict? Is this going to help them? Is this going to bring encouragement?"

Do your words speak life? Love? Encouragement?

I know many times my words don't... and trust me. You will reap what you sow... You will see what your words can really do to people... sometimes those outcomes are the most beautiful thing you have ever seen, and for that you should praise our Father... but there will be times when we speak before we really think, and those times can cause some of the biggest hurts you will ever see. Sometimes we speak later and it is still not the right time and that too will hurt someone and not help them...

Thank you Lord for showing me how to start shutting my big mouth... this is the hardest thing I am still learning but through You it can be done. Amen.

Don't use foul or abusive language. Let EVERYTHING you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them. -Ephesians 4:29 (NLT)