July 1
. . . he said to them: “Brothers, though I had done nothing against our people or the customs of our ancestors, yet I was arrested in Jerusalem and handed over to the Romans. Acts 28:17
My heart was troubled. He said this. She said that. She said this. He said that. Negative emotions assaulted me from all directions and it wasn't good. I was weary and becoming angry with the blatant disrespect that had been demonstrated, with the apparent false allegations, with the lack of love, especially when there had always been a genuine outpouring of it shown for these people. I might expect otherwise from a stranger. Once more I shook my head in disbelief and hurt as the tears stung my eyes. “God I cannot do this myself anymore, and I do not know what to do. Please do not let my heart harden. Please help me not to react in anger.” I begged the Lord in frustration and out of sheer emptiness I began to pray.
Why do I wait so long to seek God’s help? Always He enlightens. With a glimmer of hope, I began to see. We are all guilty of carrying false judgments in our hearts. None of us is exempt. It is human nature. But the true test of our integrity is how we act upon these opinions. Are we spreading rumors or untruths about others? Do we participate in negative behaviors to make ourselves look good and feed our own ego? Do we act in an unloving manner? Or do we pray for the well-being of others? Do we feel for them? Do we demonstrate our caring?
As my dear friend, Pat always says, “You never know what is going on in another’s heart or home.” Nothing could be more true. Perhaps it all comes down to putting ourselves, for just a moment, in another’s situation, to consider how we would feel or respond in it - how we might approach things. But, more importantly, doesn't it all come down to the most significant of Jesus’ teachings: to love one another? This does not mean we should allow ourselves to be drawn into a situation we clearly know is compromising our own well-being. What it does mean is that God will give us the understanding to act justly and with a loving heart.
The disciples paid a price for loving Jesus, yet through all they endured, they were empowered to demonstrate acts of kindness, love and patience to those around them. With this knowledge, are we not expected to act accordingly also?
When what we do is never enough, when we are treated with a lack of respect, love or understanding, remembering this will help to empower us to carry on.
Heavenly Father, please give us understanding hearts.
Copyright© 2014 Kathleen A. Matson
. . . he said to them: “Brothers, though I had done nothing against our people or the customs of our ancestors, yet I was arrested in Jerusalem and handed over to the Romans. Acts 28:17
My heart was troubled. He said this. She said that. She said this. He said that. Negative emotions assaulted me from all directions and it wasn't good. I was weary and becoming angry with the blatant disrespect that had been demonstrated, with the apparent false allegations, with the lack of love, especially when there had always been a genuine outpouring of it shown for these people. I might expect otherwise from a stranger. Once more I shook my head in disbelief and hurt as the tears stung my eyes. “God I cannot do this myself anymore, and I do not know what to do. Please do not let my heart harden. Please help me not to react in anger.” I begged the Lord in frustration and out of sheer emptiness I began to pray.
Why do I wait so long to seek God’s help? Always He enlightens. With a glimmer of hope, I began to see. We are all guilty of carrying false judgments in our hearts. None of us is exempt. It is human nature. But the true test of our integrity is how we act upon these opinions. Are we spreading rumors or untruths about others? Do we participate in negative behaviors to make ourselves look good and feed our own ego? Do we act in an unloving manner? Or do we pray for the well-being of others? Do we feel for them? Do we demonstrate our caring?
As my dear friend, Pat always says, “You never know what is going on in another’s heart or home.” Nothing could be more true. Perhaps it all comes down to putting ourselves, for just a moment, in another’s situation, to consider how we would feel or respond in it - how we might approach things. But, more importantly, doesn't it all come down to the most significant of Jesus’ teachings: to love one another? This does not mean we should allow ourselves to be drawn into a situation we clearly know is compromising our own well-being. What it does mean is that God will give us the understanding to act justly and with a loving heart.
The disciples paid a price for loving Jesus, yet through all they endured, they were empowered to demonstrate acts of kindness, love and patience to those around them. With this knowledge, are we not expected to act accordingly also?
When what we do is never enough, when we are treated with a lack of respect, love or understanding, remembering this will help to empower us to carry on.
Heavenly Father, please give us understanding hearts.
Copyright© 2014 Kathleen A. Matson