joy or "stuck on stupid" ?
More times than I like to admit I get “stuck on stupid”.
There are times at home, or at church, or while driving around the busy Chicago suburbs that I get irritated over the most rediculous things. Then I carry around this irritation for a day or two … or more.
My wife doesn’t say or do the right thing at just the right time.
Men in my ministry act like they belong in a bar rather than in a Bible study.
A driver cuts me off and then gives me “the finger” because I looked at him too long at the intersection.
What is my problem ?
Why do I let the devil rob me of joy by encouraging me to get “stuck on stupid” ?
As we go through the holidays of November and December may I suggest that you and I get “stuck on Jesus” instead of all the things that want to drag us down.
“Though you have not seen Him, you love Him;
and even though you do not see Him now,
you believe in Him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy …” 1 Peter 1: 8
Why is it sooooo hard for us to love like Jesus loved? I make loving everyone my daily goal. Yet I usually fall short within the first 60 minutes of my day starting. I get so frustrated at myself for not being able to have total control of my emotions and my utter complete failure to be 100% compassionate to even those that matter most to me. I’m not even talking about strangers. In fact, sometimes I find myself extending more grace and love to strangers then to the people I care about.
What’s wrong with me? I don’t understand why this love piece is so difficult.
With all the people I’ve rubbed shoulders with in my lifetime I can truly say I’ve only experience one person that has exhibited love to everyone he’s come in contact with. I’m sure this individual is not perfect either. However, I just find it curious that even the most committed of Christians fall short of loving all the time.
It’s my life and daily goal to love as Jesus loved. I hope that some day I’ll be able to accomplish this goal. You would think having the goal to love everyone an easy, too simple, too low of a “life goal” to shoot for. Yet, I tell you this… this place would not be the same if Christians really loved the way Jesus loved.
Pray for me
Love is not as easy as you think, but the main question I have for you is not are you loving them but are you loving them with your love or God’s love. you don’t have to make yourself love someone within your own strenght. God has provided his love to you and you can use that. I to fall into the thoughts of I don’t love enough, My wife my kids they see me when I am upset and angry, I don’t display love when I feel like that.
Jesus came to show us that we can overcome the hate in this world by using the Love God provides to us. we are still human. I love what my 3 year old keeps saying when he does something wrong and it fits so well. ” I try to do what God tells me to do, but sometimes I miss.”
the trick is loving yourself using your own love and using he love God and Jesus provide to you to love others. getting upset at yourself for not loving 100% of the time is just another way the devil tries to tell you you aren’t good enough. He is wrong.
My prayers go out to you and I ask you to pray for me as well.