This past year I have
really struggled with putting the Lord first and trusting him. There have been
many circumstances which have made me question why things are happening the way
they are and my response has not been obedience to him.
I have struggled with
hurting others and being hurt by others. Its amazing the power of words and how
we let them destroy relationships. This week through some reading of the Lord's
word, encouragement from my hubby and a daily devotion from Pastor Joel Olsteen
did I truly realize how my actions have not been right.
I am a people pleaser.
I do and say what makes people happy for fear of them hurting me or not liking
what I have to say. I think about how often I change just because someone
criticizes me. But that is not of God. If I am going to be who the Lord wants
me to be, my focus has to be on him, not others. The Lord clearly says that we
are to please him and only him. I am having to learn that sometimes I won't always make everyone happy and have to realize I don't have to have everyone's approval.
God says in Proverbs
29:25, Fearing people is a dangerous
trap, but trusting the LORD means safety.
He goes on to talk about pleasing people in
Galatians 1:10 "For am I
now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I
were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ."
Clearly my focus has not been right. I think
about if I truly woke up each morning with my heart submitted to him how much
better my relationships would be. They would be focused on him and not myself.
Its one thing to talk about this and another
thing to live this out. Something I haven't been doing. My focus hasn't been on
unity in my relationships. My mom encouraged me the other day to remember how
God would act to people. How he forgives, doesn't hold grudges, and shows
mercy. These three aspects of relatiosnhips are hard for me and three things I
desire more than anything to portray to my family and friends. I have not done a good job of showing this to others even though I expect it in return...
Victoria
Olsteen put it like this:
"As you think about the people in your life,
remember to respect and appreciate your differences. Don't hold offense just
because someone has a different approach than you do. Be willing to make
adjustments and focus on the common ground of peace. As you work toward unity,
you are positioning yourself to receive the wonderful blessings God has in
store for you."
How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity… for there the Lord bestows his blessing, even life forevermore. (Psalm 133:1-3, NIV)
This is my desire...my desire
is to please God above all else to seek his approval and that through doing
that I can be a better wife, mother, daughter, sister and friend. If I did this
I would have God's approval and I wouldn't be having to worry about approval
from man.
Imagine if I gave all my
trust to him what he could do with me. I am not perfect. I sin. I have hurt
people. I don't make perfect decisions. I am not always obedient to God. But I
am redeemed, I am his daughter, I am whiter than snow and he gives me a new
chance each day to live for him. I am thankful the Lord gives me a new day to begin again.