If you ever think I'm bragging, you can know that I really am. Bragging on Jesus. Many times when I am having trouble with the person in the mirror, his Holy Spirit comes to me, and rescues me by whispering into the depths of my soul, giving me the answers I need for the moment. You may think, "Who is this woman, that she thinks God speaks to her? Isn't that kind of haughty?"
I used to think that about people when I was younger. But, one day I had several bouts of being around people who demanded a lot of me. They were needy in many ways; emotionally, financially, materially, and maybe more. Have you ever been around people like that, who made you feel drained when you left them? That's the way I was feeling at the time. After I complained to God how tired I was, and how drained I felt, I asked him, "Help me see these people the way you see them." Immediately, the answer was whispered into my soul, "Well, I thought they were worth dying for." WOW! If He thought that of them, then their worth should mean more to me, and their bother should mean less. So my attitude has become improved about the people I am with, regardless of their state of life.
A few days later, I was having trouble with my own self-esteem. Someone had criticized me (unjustly, of course), and I was feeling bad about myself. So, I asked God again, "Father, what about me? Help me see myself the way you see me." Again, immediately, he whispered to my soul, "What did I tell you, Sandra? I think you were worth dying for." Again, WOW! If God Almighty thinks that about me, than what does it matter what other people think of me? All I have to worry about pleasing, is God, and I know he loves me.
No, this kind of thinking doesn't make me haughty. Rather, it humbles me to be validated like that. To know that truth, sets me free to serve and lift up others with a glad heart. Specifically, when I know that God loves me like that, then that knowledge fills me up and makes me able to validate and serve others who are just as needy as I was.
These thoughts can be backed up by scripture. John 3:16 tells me that God thinks we are worth dying for. John 8:32 says the truth will set you free and you can act upon the truth that you know.
We have a tendency in life to step on others in order to lift up ourselves. This isn't good, because we are all reaching out to take a piece of someone else to fuel our own need. When we learn to come to God, and get ourselves filled up with Him, then we will be filled to over-flowing and have extra good to put into other needy people, until we can introduce them to the same source where we got our needs met. Just try it, and you'll see. "Taste and see that the Lord is good." Psalm 34:8
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Through your example you have taught me so much about attitude and serving others with a glad heart. I don't have it down pat yet, but thank you for sowing the seed. I have read this piece over several times and I get something new out of it each time I read it. I can relate to what you are saying here. Thanks for the reminders on how we should see others and then respond. Love you!
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