"Do everything without complaining or arguing..." Philippians 2:14. Wow! I really need to work on that!
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6-7. That's a kind of on again, off again, thing for me. I need to be more consistent with this!
"Since you have encouragement from being united with Christ, comfort from his love, fellowship with the Spirit, tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, and having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look no only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others." Philippians 2:1-4. I need to lower my expectations of others and raise the bar for myself.
James 3:13-18 adds, "Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in humility that comes from wisdom. But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such wisdom does not come down from heaven, but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness." There is a lot to digest there. Looks like I need to focus on the needs of others and making peace rather than stirring up the havoc of discontent.
So where does the "rubber meet the road?"
*I need to be relaxed when someone is helping me, but they are doing it differently than I would.
*I need to trust God when life looks difficult. Maybe I need to even be thankful for the hard times.
*I need to accept the opinions of others even when they differ from mine.
*I need to be a follower when needed and a leader when needed, but be wise enough to know the difference.
Do you see any blind spots? If so, clue me in.
1 comment:
Read this post, wrote a comment and clicked to publish. My connection quit at that very moment, so I will just say that I understand. I understand.
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