I gave away my peace this morning.
It was a crazy thing, really. I was upset because someone I care very much about was not acting in the way I wanted this person to act. It hurt me. I was sure it was because this person didn’t care about me at all…I don’t get to see this person very much, and I actually found myself wishing the visit, as rare as it was, were over…
Silly, isn’t it?
I knew it was wrong, I knew I was picking at a “speck” in this person’s perverbial eye. I even tried some spiritual warfare. But all that gave me was a few moments of peace before the harassing demons returned full-scale. Finally I cried out to my Heavenly Father: “God, You promised that I would never be tempted more than I can bear; but You will always give me a…way out (See1 Cor. 10:13). God, I’m at my breaking point! I don’t want to feel this way. But I can’t…seem…to break free…God, help me!”
At that point it was time for church. As I entered into worship, I began to hear God speaking to me through my mind. I heard Him tell me that being so upset at this person was actually completely ruining the few moments of time I had to spend with this person…
I gave the person — along with that person’s perceived “incorrigible” traits — into God’s hands.
I was filled with God’s peace.
When we arrived back home from church and I was brought face to face with this person once again, I was again tempted to be angry. I was sorely tempted to get upset. But I didn’t. I didn’t give away my peace. And the next few moments between us were precious. No, the person hadn’t changed; but in allowing God’s peace back into my heart, I suddenly began to see this person differently. I began to appreciate this person for who he/she was instead of trying to change this person…
But why shouldn’t I accept others the way they are? Why should I try and change them? The Bible teaches: “Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. For you will be treated as you treat others. The standard you use in judging is the standard by which you will be judged. And why worry about a speck in your friend’s eye when you have a log in your own? How can you think of saying to your friend, ‘Let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,’ when you can’t see past the log in your own eye? Hypocrite! First get rid of the log in your own eye; then you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend’s eye.” (Matt. 7:1-5 NLT)
Let’s remember that even our worst enemy is a creation of our Heavenly Father in the same way we am…True enough, not all of God’s creations (and I’m sorry say, me included) always follow His ways…But God loves us the same. He doesn’t push us away. In fact, He longs for us to come before Him, “warts” and all. He reaches out His loving hand and beacons us to Him: “‘Come now, let’s settle this,’ says the LORD. ‘Though your sins are like scarlet, I will make them as white as snow. Though they are red like crimson, I will make them as white as wool.” (Isaiah 1:18 NLT).
Shouldn’t we be as gracious to others around us?
As I determined in my heart to love this person the way he/she was, I also determined to pray for this person and let God do any changing that needed to be done. After all, isn’t the changing of hearts the work of — the Holy Spirit (seeJohn 16:8)? It’s not my work at all! And when I try to change others, I am actually stepping in and trying to do what God is far better equipped to do. I actually stand — in His way! Yikes!
Isn’t it funny that I was so upset that I couldn’t change this person…And all the while, it was me who needed to change…
Thank You, Lord, for changing our hearts and bringing them in line with Yours. Help us to be as gracious to those around us. Help us to accept and love others the way they are, help us to commit any behaviours that need changing to the One who is the best at the joy, to Your Holy Spirit. In the precious name of Jesus, Amen!
In His love,
Lyn
Lynona Gordon Chaffart, Speech-Language Pathologist, mother of two, Author — “Aboard God’s Train — A Journey With God Through the Valley of Cancer”, Author and Moderator for The Nugget, a tri-weekly internet newsletter, andScriptural Nuggets, a website devoted to Christian devotionals and inspirational poems, withAnswers2Prayer Ministries. Follow Lyn on Twitter @lynchaffart.