Proverbs 19:11
A wise man restrains his anger and overlooks insults. This is to his credit.
The
Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by
permission of TyndalePublishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All
rights reserved.
It seems like every child has a
moment when he/she turns to an adult and says, “I don’t love you
anymore!” This is usually a reaction to the adult telling the child
“No!” about something…or making him/her do something that said child
didn’t want to do! The difficult-yet-sensible reaction from the adult
is to say, “Okay!” and walk away.
Notice I didn’t say this was the easy
response! There is the temptation to correct the child…to argue and
tell him/her that “you don’t mean that!”…or “you shouldn’t talk to me
that way!” But the most effective reaction is generally to walk away
with a nod of agreement - or no response at all.
We would often
do well to react this way in our adult lives, also. People are going to
say and do hurtful things. The devil is a powerful agent, and he is
busy stirring up trouble at every turn. He will use everything at his
disposal to rile us up and make us angry…to offend us and hurt our
feelings. And he hopes with everything in him that we will respond and
react…and maybe hurl a few zingers and insults of our own!
Let’s
not play this game! We can’t let the devil win! We must ask God to
give us His supernatural strength and courage…to quiet our spirits when
the insults and offenses come our way. We must pray for great wisdom
and resolve as we turn and walk away…or better yet, offer the
offender a smile and a kind word.
We have to decide who we will
follow…and to whom we will belong. We must learn to react and respond
to others in such a way that our choice is abundantly clear to any and
all who observe us. When people look at you, who do they believe you
follow? Do your words and actions indicate that you are someone who
flies off the handle at the least little irritation? Are you always
angry with someone - or about something? Or are you clearly operating
in the peace and joy of Jesus…relying on Him to give you a calm spirit
and demeanor in the face of all circumstances?
Are you making a
point or making a difference with your reactions and responses? Does
your demeanor credit your relationship with Jesus…or represent a
surrender to the devil? Isn’t it time you got this straightened out,
once and for all? Will this be the day that you get started?
©2015 Debbie Robus
Showing posts with label anger. Show all posts
Showing posts with label anger. Show all posts
Daily Devotional for August 20, 2015
Leviticus 19:18
Stop being angry and don’t try to take revenge. I am the Lord, and I command you to love others as much as you love yourself.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Do you know someone who is so angry with another person that he/she cannot be in the same room with them? I am sad to say that I do. I know people who can barely be civil to each other and speak a few words - much less share space. I also know people who are so bitter and angry that they have sought ways to harm another person – mentally and emotionally, if not physically. The energy and emotion expended by these folks is exhausting – and sad. And I believe that this breaks God’s heart.
I count myself blessed to say that I have never been one to hold a grudge – at least not for very long. I have people with whom I have established mental and physical boundaries. There are a few folks with whom I have little contact, because it’s just better that way for both of us. There are certain situations and events that I avoid, because I know that they will either offer the opportunity for conflict – or there is a potential for discussions and actions that might upset me. But I do not avoid such people or situations out of judgment or disdain - and certainly not out of anger.
God has shown me how to handle potentially upsetting and unpleasant people and situations. Once in a while, such an encounter will be inevitable. But I have asked Him to guide me…to keep me calm and collected…and to shield me from any lasting feelings of ill will or displeasure. I have asked God to give me a heart for forgiveness and compassion toward others…even those who “rub me the wrong way” in some manner. And while I am a work in progress, I can say that He has generously granted me great peace in this area.
Conflicts and difficult folks are an inevitable part of life. But God wants us to allow Him to handle these people and situations. He wants us to focus on loving all people – at all times. He wants us to offer others kindness…to share a smile and a loving attitude - even when we feel that the person doesn’t deserve it! I get that this is sometimes hard to accomplish…I truly do. But I can assure you that when you surrender these feelings to God and allow Him to handle things, you will experience inexplicable peace and calm. This may not happen instantly, but God will soothe and settle you.
Don’t try to take matters into your own hands…and don’t let anger and resentments fester. Spend some time in prayer and meditation, and ask God to show you how to control your feelings…and to surround you with peace and calm as you surrender these people and situations to Him. Ask God to fill your heart with love and compassion…and let Him handle the rest. He will do this…are you ready to let Him?
©2015 Debbie Robus
Stop being angry and don’t try to take revenge. I am the Lord, and I command you to love others as much as you love yourself.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Do you know someone who is so angry with another person that he/she cannot be in the same room with them? I am sad to say that I do. I know people who can barely be civil to each other and speak a few words - much less share space. I also know people who are so bitter and angry that they have sought ways to harm another person – mentally and emotionally, if not physically. The energy and emotion expended by these folks is exhausting – and sad. And I believe that this breaks God’s heart.
I count myself blessed to say that I have never been one to hold a grudge – at least not for very long. I have people with whom I have established mental and physical boundaries. There are a few folks with whom I have little contact, because it’s just better that way for both of us. There are certain situations and events that I avoid, because I know that they will either offer the opportunity for conflict – or there is a potential for discussions and actions that might upset me. But I do not avoid such people or situations out of judgment or disdain - and certainly not out of anger.
God has shown me how to handle potentially upsetting and unpleasant people and situations. Once in a while, such an encounter will be inevitable. But I have asked Him to guide me…to keep me calm and collected…and to shield me from any lasting feelings of ill will or displeasure. I have asked God to give me a heart for forgiveness and compassion toward others…even those who “rub me the wrong way” in some manner. And while I am a work in progress, I can say that He has generously granted me great peace in this area.
Conflicts and difficult folks are an inevitable part of life. But God wants us to allow Him to handle these people and situations. He wants us to focus on loving all people – at all times. He wants us to offer others kindness…to share a smile and a loving attitude - even when we feel that the person doesn’t deserve it! I get that this is sometimes hard to accomplish…I truly do. But I can assure you that when you surrender these feelings to God and allow Him to handle things, you will experience inexplicable peace and calm. This may not happen instantly, but God will soothe and settle you.
Don’t try to take matters into your own hands…and don’t let anger and resentments fester. Spend some time in prayer and meditation, and ask God to show you how to control your feelings…and to surround you with peace and calm as you surrender these people and situations to Him. Ask God to fill your heart with love and compassion…and let Him handle the rest. He will do this…are you ready to let Him?
©2015 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for July 31, 2015
Ephesians 4:25-27
What this adds up to, then, is this: no more lies, no more pretense. Tell your neighbor the truth. In Christ’s body we’re all connected to each other, after all. When you lie to others, you end up lying to yourself.
Go ahead and be angry. You do well to be angry—but don’t use your anger as fuel for revenge. And don’t stay angry. Don’t go to bed angry. Don’t give the Devil that kind of foothold in your life.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
My mother always taught me that “if you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all.” At the other end of the spectrum, my Mam-ma Polly frequently seemed to operate more in the “speak your mind now and worry about the consequences later” mode. And I think there is room for a healthy balance between these two stances.
I try to be very fair and balanced with others…particularly as I write these devotionals. I understand that not all people believe as I do on a variety of subjects…and that’s okay. But I have found that often, when we sit quietly on the sidelines, others wrongly assume that we believe exactly as they do…and that we fully support their expressed opinions. And this can be hurtful to everyone.
A few weeks ago, I was attending a meeting in which some comments were made that deeply wounded several people…including me. The persons who made them initially assumed that everyone in the room felt as they did…so they “went at it” with wild abandon. I’ll admit…I initially willed myself to stay quiet. But then another lady spoke up and explained why she disagreed with what was said…and one by one, more of us spoke up and expressed our feelings. I wish I could say this made a difference…that the ugly talk was stifled. But it wasn’t…and some of us came away more offended than anything else…but yes, we were angry, too.
The anger and disappointment affected me in a profound way…but I did not seek revenge. I prayed…a lot. I asked God to show me how to overcome my feelings of resentment toward those who spoke their own truth…to keep me from allowing the devil to have the last laugh in this. And He has done this. I am at a calm and peaceful place where I can actually encounter these people and not feel antagonistic – or even judgmental of them. I didn’t come to this resolution overnight, but I am grateful that God has begun to heal my heart.
I am also glad that I spoke out. Otherwise, I think I would have always felt a little ashamed…like I was living a lie by allowing others to assume that I agreed with them on this issue. And I’ll admit…speaking honestly about my views on several political and social issues has “cost” me some friendships...or at least greatly changed how we interact and the frequency of our contacts. And that is unfortunate…but also freeing. Let’s be honest…living a lie takes its toll.
I hope and pray that I am never judgmental or rude…that I don’t “speak my mind” to someone in such a way as to anger or offend them. By remaining truthful, I trust that God will bless my efforts and soften the ears of those who hear my words, so that they accept them – and me – in the spirit of Christian brotherhood and sisterhood. I’ve tried to “sugarcoat the truth” before in an effort to spare another person’s feelings. And I can tell you, when this backfires (and it often does), it’s a royal disaster!
At the end of the day, our only responsibility is to please God…and remaining truthful honors our commitment to Him. By seeking His wisdom and guidance as we speak the truth, we demonstrate our faith in Him to handle how our words are received…and put the devil in his place simultaneously! Honesty IS the best policy! How truthful are you being these days?
©2015 Debbie Robus
What this adds up to, then, is this: no more lies, no more pretense. Tell your neighbor the truth. In Christ’s body we’re all connected to each other, after all. When you lie to others, you end up lying to yourself.
Go ahead and be angry. You do well to be angry—but don’t use your anger as fuel for revenge. And don’t stay angry. Don’t go to bed angry. Don’t give the Devil that kind of foothold in your life.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
My mother always taught me that “if you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all.” At the other end of the spectrum, my Mam-ma Polly frequently seemed to operate more in the “speak your mind now and worry about the consequences later” mode. And I think there is room for a healthy balance between these two stances.
I try to be very fair and balanced with others…particularly as I write these devotionals. I understand that not all people believe as I do on a variety of subjects…and that’s okay. But I have found that often, when we sit quietly on the sidelines, others wrongly assume that we believe exactly as they do…and that we fully support their expressed opinions. And this can be hurtful to everyone.
A few weeks ago, I was attending a meeting in which some comments were made that deeply wounded several people…including me. The persons who made them initially assumed that everyone in the room felt as they did…so they “went at it” with wild abandon. I’ll admit…I initially willed myself to stay quiet. But then another lady spoke up and explained why she disagreed with what was said…and one by one, more of us spoke up and expressed our feelings. I wish I could say this made a difference…that the ugly talk was stifled. But it wasn’t…and some of us came away more offended than anything else…but yes, we were angry, too.
The anger and disappointment affected me in a profound way…but I did not seek revenge. I prayed…a lot. I asked God to show me how to overcome my feelings of resentment toward those who spoke their own truth…to keep me from allowing the devil to have the last laugh in this. And He has done this. I am at a calm and peaceful place where I can actually encounter these people and not feel antagonistic – or even judgmental of them. I didn’t come to this resolution overnight, but I am grateful that God has begun to heal my heart.
I am also glad that I spoke out. Otherwise, I think I would have always felt a little ashamed…like I was living a lie by allowing others to assume that I agreed with them on this issue. And I’ll admit…speaking honestly about my views on several political and social issues has “cost” me some friendships...or at least greatly changed how we interact and the frequency of our contacts. And that is unfortunate…but also freeing. Let’s be honest…living a lie takes its toll.
I hope and pray that I am never judgmental or rude…that I don’t “speak my mind” to someone in such a way as to anger or offend them. By remaining truthful, I trust that God will bless my efforts and soften the ears of those who hear my words, so that they accept them – and me – in the spirit of Christian brotherhood and sisterhood. I’ve tried to “sugarcoat the truth” before in an effort to spare another person’s feelings. And I can tell you, when this backfires (and it often does), it’s a royal disaster!
At the end of the day, our only responsibility is to please God…and remaining truthful honors our commitment to Him. By seeking His wisdom and guidance as we speak the truth, we demonstrate our faith in Him to handle how our words are received…and put the devil in his place simultaneously! Honesty IS the best policy! How truthful are you being these days?
©2015 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for August 24, 2014
Matthew 5:21-26
“You’re familiar with the command to the ancients, ‘Do not murder.’ I’m telling you that anyone who is so much as angry with a brother or sister is guilty of murder. Carelessly call a brother ‘idiot!’ and you just might find yourself hauled into court. Thoughtlessly yell ‘stupid!’ at a sister and you are on the brink of hellfire. The simple moral fact is that words kill.
“This is how I want you to conduct yourself in these matters. If you enter your place of worship and, about to make an offering, you suddenly remember a grudge a friend has against you, abandon your offering, leave immediately, go to this friend and make things right. Then and only then, come back and work things out with God.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
Whew, boy! This is a tough passage to digest! I’m reading Everybody’s Got Something*, written by ABC’s "Good Morning America" co-anchor Robin Roberts. She repeats the title of her book throughout its text...a phrase frequently spoken to Roberts by her late mother, Lucimarian. Roberts uses this phrase to refer to struggles...challenges...issues. But I want to use it today to refer to an entirely different kind of “something” – offenses...grudges...hurts...insults, and those things that make you go, “Grrrrrrrrrrrrrr!”
Don’t pretend for one minute that you don’t know what I’m talking about...and do not judge. Because we all have these feelings and behaviors! We are human...and human beings get angry and irritated with one another! But here’s the thing. Jesus tells us that we cannot STAY angry. We cannot call others names - even when we feel that they deserve them. In the words of this scripture passage...”The simple moral fact is that words kill.”
As a society, we have honestly grown so comfortable – and complacent – with name calling and being angry about this, that or another that I don’t think we even realize the damage we do...to others AND to ourselves. Don’t you know someone who is always angry or in turmoil about something or someone? Have you really stopped to consider their overall attitude? If you did, I bet you would see someone who is “emotionally turbulent”...a person whose “insides” must be churning much of the time with the stress and unsettledness of these feelings. Now think of someone who seems to let things “roll off his/her back”...someone who appears to have a pretty good handle on the gifts of grace, mercy, forgiveness and kindness toward others. Which one seems to have the more peaceful life? With which of these people would you prefer to spend time?
In my experience, anger and resentment are like cancers that eat away – at YOUR soul, not the other guy’s. And clearly, God is not pleased when we harbor these feelings. When we operate in anger and unforgiveness...when we speak unkindly of others and call them names...we essentially say, “Jesus wasted His time on this earth. His life – and His death on the cross – are meaningless.” I don’t believe this for one minute...do you? We also deny the scriptures that tell us that every single person is precious to God...not one person is more important or special than another. To speak angrily or hatefully of another is to say, “I’m better than him/her. God loves me more.” And this is simply not the case. So we have to make a concerted effort to change our attitudes and what comes out of our mouths.
Who’s with me here? Who is feeling pretty sheepish and “called out” right about now? I know I am! I’m telling you...Christian discipleship ain’t for sissies or wimps! The next time you are tempted to be openly critical of someone...or to call him/her a name...remember this passage. The next time you feel anger welling up in you (and you will!), take a deep breath and ask God to help you operate in a spirit of mercy and forgiveness.
Whether you ever approach the person with whom you have the beef is not really relevant. Scripture tells us to make things right with those whom WE have offended...but we are not instructed to go around confronting others and telling them, “You made me mad or hurt my feelings, and I forgive you.” It seems to be pleasing enough to God that you forgive in your heart, which He discerns – unless you are asked to by someone to forgive them verbally. Honestly, I think others will know your heart, too...because your overall demeanor will reflect your inward spirit – and your peace through Christ Jesus.
Don’t be known as someone who is angry or unforgiving. Don’t be reputed to be a cynic and a grump. This is not representative of the grace, mercy, love and forgiveness of Jesus. If we want to represent Him...to be a genuine disciple of Christ...we have to work hard and be willing to accept His instruction in all things. Everybody’s got something...don’t let yours be a grudge!
©2014 Debbie Robus
*Everybody’s Got Something - ©2014 by Robin Roberts ~ Grand Central Publishing, Hachette Book Group
“You’re familiar with the command to the ancients, ‘Do not murder.’ I’m telling you that anyone who is so much as angry with a brother or sister is guilty of murder. Carelessly call a brother ‘idiot!’ and you just might find yourself hauled into court. Thoughtlessly yell ‘stupid!’ at a sister and you are on the brink of hellfire. The simple moral fact is that words kill.
“This is how I want you to conduct yourself in these matters. If you enter your place of worship and, about to make an offering, you suddenly remember a grudge a friend has against you, abandon your offering, leave immediately, go to this friend and make things right. Then and only then, come back and work things out with God.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
Whew, boy! This is a tough passage to digest! I’m reading Everybody’s Got Something*, written by ABC’s "Good Morning America" co-anchor Robin Roberts. She repeats the title of her book throughout its text...a phrase frequently spoken to Roberts by her late mother, Lucimarian. Roberts uses this phrase to refer to struggles...challenges...issues. But I want to use it today to refer to an entirely different kind of “something” – offenses...grudges...hurts...insults, and those things that make you go, “Grrrrrrrrrrrrrr!”
Don’t pretend for one minute that you don’t know what I’m talking about...and do not judge. Because we all have these feelings and behaviors! We are human...and human beings get angry and irritated with one another! But here’s the thing. Jesus tells us that we cannot STAY angry. We cannot call others names - even when we feel that they deserve them. In the words of this scripture passage...”The simple moral fact is that words kill.”
As a society, we have honestly grown so comfortable – and complacent – with name calling and being angry about this, that or another that I don’t think we even realize the damage we do...to others AND to ourselves. Don’t you know someone who is always angry or in turmoil about something or someone? Have you really stopped to consider their overall attitude? If you did, I bet you would see someone who is “emotionally turbulent”...a person whose “insides” must be churning much of the time with the stress and unsettledness of these feelings. Now think of someone who seems to let things “roll off his/her back”...someone who appears to have a pretty good handle on the gifts of grace, mercy, forgiveness and kindness toward others. Which one seems to have the more peaceful life? With which of these people would you prefer to spend time?
In my experience, anger and resentment are like cancers that eat away – at YOUR soul, not the other guy’s. And clearly, God is not pleased when we harbor these feelings. When we operate in anger and unforgiveness...when we speak unkindly of others and call them names...we essentially say, “Jesus wasted His time on this earth. His life – and His death on the cross – are meaningless.” I don’t believe this for one minute...do you? We also deny the scriptures that tell us that every single person is precious to God...not one person is more important or special than another. To speak angrily or hatefully of another is to say, “I’m better than him/her. God loves me more.” And this is simply not the case. So we have to make a concerted effort to change our attitudes and what comes out of our mouths.
Who’s with me here? Who is feeling pretty sheepish and “called out” right about now? I know I am! I’m telling you...Christian discipleship ain’t for sissies or wimps! The next time you are tempted to be openly critical of someone...or to call him/her a name...remember this passage. The next time you feel anger welling up in you (and you will!), take a deep breath and ask God to help you operate in a spirit of mercy and forgiveness.
Whether you ever approach the person with whom you have the beef is not really relevant. Scripture tells us to make things right with those whom WE have offended...but we are not instructed to go around confronting others and telling them, “You made me mad or hurt my feelings, and I forgive you.” It seems to be pleasing enough to God that you forgive in your heart, which He discerns – unless you are asked to by someone to forgive them verbally. Honestly, I think others will know your heart, too...because your overall demeanor will reflect your inward spirit – and your peace through Christ Jesus.
Don’t be known as someone who is angry or unforgiving. Don’t be reputed to be a cynic and a grump. This is not representative of the grace, mercy, love and forgiveness of Jesus. If we want to represent Him...to be a genuine disciple of Christ...we have to work hard and be willing to accept His instruction in all things. Everybody’s got something...don’t let yours be a grudge!
©2014 Debbie Robus
*Everybody’s Got Something - ©2014 by Robin Roberts ~ Grand Central Publishing, Hachette Book Group
Daily Devotional for July 26, 2014
Ephesians 4:31-32
Stop being bitter and angry and mad at others. Don’t yell at one another or curse each other or ever be rude. Instead, be kind and merciful, and forgive others, just as God forgave you because of Christ.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Our little 3-year-old niece, Zola, spent a couple of nights with us recently, and we enjoyed seeing what she has learned since her last visit...hearing how her speech has improved...and listening to her laugh. Her speech becomes clearer each week...and she has a LOT to say! One of the things she repeatedly told us this time is, “I can say nice words, but I can’t say bad words. Mommy says I can’t say bad words. I can say ‘Yes, Ma’am’ and ‘Yes, Tir (Sir)’...but I can’t say bad words.” A couple of times, she told me a word and said, “My mommy says I can’t say that word.” I would remind her, “If Mommy says you shouldn’t say that word, let’s not say it!”
Zola’s mother (my niece, Jasmine) is trying really hard to teach her children the important lessons of Ephesians 4:31-32. When we are with Timothy and Zola, they often tell on themselves...”I had an attitude,” or “I hit Zola because she made me mad,” or “I tore up Timmy’s book.” They don’t always share with their baby brother, Nathan...and they don’t like it when he bothers their things. I know that it is part of being two, three and five...and that the children do have to learn the proper behaviors. But the sad thing is that some of us are more than ten times their ages, and we still don’t get it! We yell, scream, curse and treat others terribly. We hold grudges, we retaliate, we get angry...and we are terribly spiteful and bitter. And the worst part of all is that we do this while claiming to be born-again believers in Jesus Christ!
We go to church on Sunday morning...and curse at the television while watching a sporting event on Sunday afternoon. We give God the glory for the “great things He has done”, as the hymn says...and then we take His name in vain as we rake someone over the coals for something that isn’t even all that significant in the scheme of things. We shake our fists at the guy who pulled out in front of us at the grocery store... and pretty well come unhinged over the little old lady who pulls into a parking space ahead of us. We have absolutely no patience for the young mother of two or more who is trying to sort her groceries at the check-out counter so that she can qualify for the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) assistance. We do nothing to hide our disdain toward people who do not meet our standards for appearance...we judge everything from body piercings and tattoos to clothing, cleanliness, size, shape and hair color. And don’t even get me started on how we treat those whose race or ethnicity is different from ours!
We do not take into account what is happening in other people’s lives at any given time. We can’t possibly know everything...but we sure try to act like we do much of the time. The Apostle Paul does a great job in these verses of reminding us to remember well what Jesus did for us...how He treats us...and to treat others the same way. Offer them mercy and forgiveness...gentleness and kind talk...the benefit of the doubt. Take a lesson from a young mother trying to teach her preschoolers to say nice words and to regard others with kindness, courtesy, compassion and respect.
Stop and ask yourself what Jesus would do...and how He would have you respond. Remind yourself of the commitment you made when you accepted Jesus’ gift of Salvation on the cross in exchange for your sins. Start saying nice words instead of bad ones...and be kind and merciful toward others. If you really want to be Jesus’ disciple, you’ve got to act like one! When you interact with others, who do you truly represent? Are you a pre-school Christian disciple... or a bonafide grown-up?
©2014 Debbie Robus
Stop being bitter and angry and mad at others. Don’t yell at one another or curse each other or ever be rude. Instead, be kind and merciful, and forgive others, just as God forgave you because of Christ.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Our little 3-year-old niece, Zola, spent a couple of nights with us recently, and we enjoyed seeing what she has learned since her last visit...hearing how her speech has improved...and listening to her laugh. Her speech becomes clearer each week...and she has a LOT to say! One of the things she repeatedly told us this time is, “I can say nice words, but I can’t say bad words. Mommy says I can’t say bad words. I can say ‘Yes, Ma’am’ and ‘Yes, Tir (Sir)’...but I can’t say bad words.” A couple of times, she told me a word and said, “My mommy says I can’t say that word.” I would remind her, “If Mommy says you shouldn’t say that word, let’s not say it!”
Zola’s mother (my niece, Jasmine) is trying really hard to teach her children the important lessons of Ephesians 4:31-32. When we are with Timothy and Zola, they often tell on themselves...”I had an attitude,” or “I hit Zola because she made me mad,” or “I tore up Timmy’s book.” They don’t always share with their baby brother, Nathan...and they don’t like it when he bothers their things. I know that it is part of being two, three and five...and that the children do have to learn the proper behaviors. But the sad thing is that some of us are more than ten times their ages, and we still don’t get it! We yell, scream, curse and treat others terribly. We hold grudges, we retaliate, we get angry...and we are terribly spiteful and bitter. And the worst part of all is that we do this while claiming to be born-again believers in Jesus Christ!
We go to church on Sunday morning...and curse at the television while watching a sporting event on Sunday afternoon. We give God the glory for the “great things He has done”, as the hymn says...and then we take His name in vain as we rake someone over the coals for something that isn’t even all that significant in the scheme of things. We shake our fists at the guy who pulled out in front of us at the grocery store... and pretty well come unhinged over the little old lady who pulls into a parking space ahead of us. We have absolutely no patience for the young mother of two or more who is trying to sort her groceries at the check-out counter so that she can qualify for the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) assistance. We do nothing to hide our disdain toward people who do not meet our standards for appearance...we judge everything from body piercings and tattoos to clothing, cleanliness, size, shape and hair color. And don’t even get me started on how we treat those whose race or ethnicity is different from ours!
We do not take into account what is happening in other people’s lives at any given time. We can’t possibly know everything...but we sure try to act like we do much of the time. The Apostle Paul does a great job in these verses of reminding us to remember well what Jesus did for us...how He treats us...and to treat others the same way. Offer them mercy and forgiveness...gentleness and kind talk...the benefit of the doubt. Take a lesson from a young mother trying to teach her preschoolers to say nice words and to regard others with kindness, courtesy, compassion and respect.
Stop and ask yourself what Jesus would do...and how He would have you respond. Remind yourself of the commitment you made when you accepted Jesus’ gift of Salvation on the cross in exchange for your sins. Start saying nice words instead of bad ones...and be kind and merciful toward others. If you really want to be Jesus’ disciple, you’ve got to act like one! When you interact with others, who do you truly represent? Are you a pre-school Christian disciple... or a bonafide grown-up?
©2014 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for February 4, 2014
Ephesians 4:31-32
Stop being bitter and angry and mad at others. Don’t yell at one another or curse each other or ever be rude. Instead, be kind and merciful, and forgive others, just as God forgave you because of Christ.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Virtually every day, each one of us has a reason to become bitter, angry, or mad at others. I have dear friends who have endured so much in the last year that it would make your head spin…the loss of loved ones, the loss of pets, physical illness and/or injury – and I’m talking about all of this happening to the same person! Others have endured insults, setbacks, and personal heartaches that boggle the mind. Still, they manage to keep going…to love others, and to operate in grace, mercy, forgiveness, and compassion.
“Kudos to those people!” you may say. “I don’t know how they do it.” And let’s be real here…there are a lot of so-called “Christians” who walk around with a chip on their shoulder and cannot operate in compassion, grace and mercy. You know what I mean. We all could name people who are continually angry at someone or about something…who are mad at the world…who hold onto grudges and belittle others – or express disdain for certain people and/or their behaviors. Their general attitude is one of superiority…or at best, gratitude that they are “not like that guy!” They do not project an image of one who is kind, merciful, forgiving, and accepting of others. And their behavior demonstrates clearly to others that God’s love is only for a select few…because if they belong to Christ, He surely would not want someone with the kind of flaws average people like you and I have!
I’m afraid there are more than a few Christian snobs in our midst…and it’s time for us to each examine our hearts and see if we fall into this category – even once in a while. The Bible is clear that anger, bitterness and being mad at others are not hallmarks of a true Christian disciple. Yelling, cursing, and rudeness of any kind have no place in the life of one of Christ’s followers.
My challenge to you today is to stop and take a hard look at yourself. Examine your heart…your words…your body language…and your thoughts. Think about your recent conversations and what you might have said or done that could be viewed by another as operating in anger, bitterness or rudeness. If you can make amends…do so. But vow to God – and to yourself – to do better. Make this the day that you take this scripture passage to heart and incorporate it fully into your daily Discipleship. Ask God to forgive you...knowing that He will…and then forgive others - and yourself. Call on Him to give you the strength and the resolve to operate in love, grace, mercy, and compassion for everyone – all of the time!
Jesus died on the cross for all of our anger, bitterness, unkindness, and sin of every nature. If we truly are His disciples, we will leave these things at the foot of the cross where they belong. Have you done this? Isn’t it time you did?
©2014 Debbie Robus
Stop being bitter and angry and mad at others. Don’t yell at one another or curse each other or ever be rude. Instead, be kind and merciful, and forgive others, just as God forgave you because of Christ.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Virtually every day, each one of us has a reason to become bitter, angry, or mad at others. I have dear friends who have endured so much in the last year that it would make your head spin…the loss of loved ones, the loss of pets, physical illness and/or injury – and I’m talking about all of this happening to the same person! Others have endured insults, setbacks, and personal heartaches that boggle the mind. Still, they manage to keep going…to love others, and to operate in grace, mercy, forgiveness, and compassion.
“Kudos to those people!” you may say. “I don’t know how they do it.” And let’s be real here…there are a lot of so-called “Christians” who walk around with a chip on their shoulder and cannot operate in compassion, grace and mercy. You know what I mean. We all could name people who are continually angry at someone or about something…who are mad at the world…who hold onto grudges and belittle others – or express disdain for certain people and/or their behaviors. Their general attitude is one of superiority…or at best, gratitude that they are “not like that guy!” They do not project an image of one who is kind, merciful, forgiving, and accepting of others. And their behavior demonstrates clearly to others that God’s love is only for a select few…because if they belong to Christ, He surely would not want someone with the kind of flaws average people like you and I have!
I’m afraid there are more than a few Christian snobs in our midst…and it’s time for us to each examine our hearts and see if we fall into this category – even once in a while. The Bible is clear that anger, bitterness and being mad at others are not hallmarks of a true Christian disciple. Yelling, cursing, and rudeness of any kind have no place in the life of one of Christ’s followers.
My challenge to you today is to stop and take a hard look at yourself. Examine your heart…your words…your body language…and your thoughts. Think about your recent conversations and what you might have said or done that could be viewed by another as operating in anger, bitterness or rudeness. If you can make amends…do so. But vow to God – and to yourself – to do better. Make this the day that you take this scripture passage to heart and incorporate it fully into your daily Discipleship. Ask God to forgive you...knowing that He will…and then forgive others - and yourself. Call on Him to give you the strength and the resolve to operate in love, grace, mercy, and compassion for everyone – all of the time!
Jesus died on the cross for all of our anger, bitterness, unkindness, and sin of every nature. If we truly are His disciples, we will leave these things at the foot of the cross where they belong. Have you done this? Isn’t it time you did?
©2014 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for November 19, 2012
John 16:33
I’ve told you all this so that trusting me, you will be unshakable and assured, deeply at peace. In this godless world you will continue to experience difficulties. But take heart! I’ve conquered the world.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
If you want to give the devil fits, just get comfortable with God! The closer you draw to Him, the more minor irritations and frustrations Satan will throw your way. It’s like he’s saying, “Oh yeah? Well what about THIS one?”! I have to laugh as I picture him, hands on his hips, growling and perturbed because his latest rant or scheme did not put me out of commission. But this has not always been the case… and I will be the first to admit that I still let the devil get to me and rattle my cage far too often!
This is “Thanksgiving Week” in the USA… a time when we are supposed to stop and make an extra effort to count our blessings. I know I have more than my share… and I am so grateful to God for all He does for me every minute of the day. I am incredibly thankful that He has conquered the world and I can live deeply at peace… unshaken and assured, even when momentary difficulties arise. I cannot imagine surviving all the things that come our way in even an “ordinary day” without the power of Jesus behind me.
I am surrounded by people who inspire me with their examples of tremendous faith in the midst of great challenge… a mother whose son is undergoing treatments for cancer wrote that if she could make a chain of daily blessings in their lives, it would stretch around the house, and then some… a young newlywed whose husband is battling a sinister and most-certainly terminal brain cancer, journals of the wonderful hiking trip they had to a local mountainous area and the joy of daily routines like soccer practice for their little boys… the mother of two four-year-olds who spent their first year of life in Arkansas Children’s hospital, lost their third sibling along the way, and wakes up with a new physical “issue” almost every day – yet reports that her son fell and knocked out three front teeth, and she was glad that it was just a “normal little-boy accident/injury” and not something more major! Now that’s faith in action!
I could go on and on… but I think you get the picture. One of my former Sunday school students posted on Facebook that ““For every minute you are angry you lose sixty seconds of happiness.” You could easily insert the words frustrated, irritated, distressed, or hopeless and have the same result. And the whole point is that, while these are normal human reactions, they serve no purpose in the life of a Christian.
In the words of an old song called “Pick Yourself Up” by Jerome Kern…”pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and start all over again!” Recognize that God has already sent the devil packing, so we have no business letting him back into our neighborhood, so to speak. Kick him to the curb for good. When you start to feel frustrated, irritated, angry, or hopeless, shake Satan from your shoulder and say, “No way! I serve the Most High God, who has conquered the world! I am unshaken and assured that He has my back, and I am at peace!” Then do.it!
Be confident and faithful… a living example for others. Difficulties will come, but they do not define us. Cast ALL of your cares on God, for He truly does care for you in every way.
©2012 Debbie Robus
I’ve told you all this so that trusting me, you will be unshakable and assured, deeply at peace. In this godless world you will continue to experience difficulties. But take heart! I’ve conquered the world.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
If you want to give the devil fits, just get comfortable with God! The closer you draw to Him, the more minor irritations and frustrations Satan will throw your way. It’s like he’s saying, “Oh yeah? Well what about THIS one?”! I have to laugh as I picture him, hands on his hips, growling and perturbed because his latest rant or scheme did not put me out of commission. But this has not always been the case… and I will be the first to admit that I still let the devil get to me and rattle my cage far too often!
This is “Thanksgiving Week” in the USA… a time when we are supposed to stop and make an extra effort to count our blessings. I know I have more than my share… and I am so grateful to God for all He does for me every minute of the day. I am incredibly thankful that He has conquered the world and I can live deeply at peace… unshaken and assured, even when momentary difficulties arise. I cannot imagine surviving all the things that come our way in even an “ordinary day” without the power of Jesus behind me.
I am surrounded by people who inspire me with their examples of tremendous faith in the midst of great challenge… a mother whose son is undergoing treatments for cancer wrote that if she could make a chain of daily blessings in their lives, it would stretch around the house, and then some… a young newlywed whose husband is battling a sinister and most-certainly terminal brain cancer, journals of the wonderful hiking trip they had to a local mountainous area and the joy of daily routines like soccer practice for their little boys… the mother of two four-year-olds who spent their first year of life in Arkansas Children’s hospital, lost their third sibling along the way, and wakes up with a new physical “issue” almost every day – yet reports that her son fell and knocked out three front teeth, and she was glad that it was just a “normal little-boy accident/injury” and not something more major! Now that’s faith in action!
I could go on and on… but I think you get the picture. One of my former Sunday school students posted on Facebook that ““For every minute you are angry you lose sixty seconds of happiness.” You could easily insert the words frustrated, irritated, distressed, or hopeless and have the same result. And the whole point is that, while these are normal human reactions, they serve no purpose in the life of a Christian.
In the words of an old song called “Pick Yourself Up” by Jerome Kern…”pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and start all over again!” Recognize that God has already sent the devil packing, so we have no business letting him back into our neighborhood, so to speak. Kick him to the curb for good. When you start to feel frustrated, irritated, angry, or hopeless, shake Satan from your shoulder and say, “No way! I serve the Most High God, who has conquered the world! I am unshaken and assured that He has my back, and I am at peace!” Then do.it!
Be confident and faithful… a living example for others. Difficulties will come, but they do not define us. Cast ALL of your cares on God, for He truly does care for you in every way.
©2012 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for October 20, 2012
Matthew 5:21-26
You know that our ancestors were told, “Do not murder” and “A murderer must be brought to trial.” But I promise you that if you are angry with someone, you will have to stand trial. If you call someone a fool, you will be taken to court. And if you say that someone is worthless, you will be in danger of the fires of hell.
So if you are about to place your gift on the altar and remember that someone is angry with you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. Make peace with that person, then come back and offer your gift to God.
Before you are dragged into court, make friends with the person who has accused you of doing wrong. If you don’t, you will be handed over to the judge and then to the officer who will put you in jail. I promise you that you will not get out until you have paid the last cent you owe.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
There are two things in our culture that seem to bring out the worst in people… sporting events and political elections! In both cases, people who claim to be obedient, filled-with-grace Christians give the impression that they are filled with anger. Name calling looks as if it is second nature. The refs are “idiots.” Candidates are called names I cannot even repeat. And the level of pure hatred that appears to emanate from every pore of many is disconcerting at best – and downright scary in some cases. You’ve heard the phrase, “If looks could kill, I’d be dead!” I’ve seen that look in the eyes of more than one person who was upset over a bad call at a ballgame – or those of someone speaking about the other party’s candidate!
I have to believe that God is so deeply disappointed in all of us. Clearly, we do not understand what Jesus has taught us… that anger is as much a sin as murder itself! And I will be the first to admit that I am not immune to name calling…as much as I would like to be. However, I have become more aware of how distasteful this is to God… how disrespectful we are when we lash out at another of His children. And I have to say, I think am doing a better job of catching myself before my thoughts and feelings become outward words and actions. It’s a step in the right direction… but I also need to corral my thoughts. And I’m betting you do, also.
We cannot “have it our way.” Jesus is not Burger King. If we are truly Disciples of Christ… if we really want to please God and serve Him honorably, we must get a handle on our anger. We must control our tongue. We must put a stop to body language that exudes disapproval, disgust, or revulsion of others. Yes, Jesus got angry. And yes, there is a time and place for anger about certain situations… abuses and mistreatments of others, for instance – or disrespect for God and His creation. But lashing out at another and calling him/her names, cursing, gesturing or even giving dirty looks does not accomplish anything except making us look like fools.
What is the solution? Jesus! When you are angry, go to a private corner and tell Him how you feel. Call on the Holy Spirit to calm you – to act like a balm on your heart and smooth out your ruffled feathers. Ask Him to show you how to proceed in a logical, loving manner that reflects the grace and mercy of God. Ask the Holy Spirit to guide your thoughts and actions… the words you speak – and those you write in places like social media. Make every word and action count for Jesus… and reflect your love and respect for the One who has given everything on your account.
Strive for the day when anger and hatred have no place in your heart. When you can begin to operate without these emotions, you will know that the Holy Spirit is alive and well in you… and so will everyone else.
©2012 Debbie Robus
You know that our ancestors were told, “Do not murder” and “A murderer must be brought to trial.” But I promise you that if you are angry with someone, you will have to stand trial. If you call someone a fool, you will be taken to court. And if you say that someone is worthless, you will be in danger of the fires of hell.
So if you are about to place your gift on the altar and remember that someone is angry with you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. Make peace with that person, then come back and offer your gift to God.
Before you are dragged into court, make friends with the person who has accused you of doing wrong. If you don’t, you will be handed over to the judge and then to the officer who will put you in jail. I promise you that you will not get out until you have paid the last cent you owe.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
There are two things in our culture that seem to bring out the worst in people… sporting events and political elections! In both cases, people who claim to be obedient, filled-with-grace Christians give the impression that they are filled with anger. Name calling looks as if it is second nature. The refs are “idiots.” Candidates are called names I cannot even repeat. And the level of pure hatred that appears to emanate from every pore of many is disconcerting at best – and downright scary in some cases. You’ve heard the phrase, “If looks could kill, I’d be dead!” I’ve seen that look in the eyes of more than one person who was upset over a bad call at a ballgame – or those of someone speaking about the other party’s candidate!
I have to believe that God is so deeply disappointed in all of us. Clearly, we do not understand what Jesus has taught us… that anger is as much a sin as murder itself! And I will be the first to admit that I am not immune to name calling…as much as I would like to be. However, I have become more aware of how distasteful this is to God… how disrespectful we are when we lash out at another of His children. And I have to say, I think am doing a better job of catching myself before my thoughts and feelings become outward words and actions. It’s a step in the right direction… but I also need to corral my thoughts. And I’m betting you do, also.
We cannot “have it our way.” Jesus is not Burger King. If we are truly Disciples of Christ… if we really want to please God and serve Him honorably, we must get a handle on our anger. We must control our tongue. We must put a stop to body language that exudes disapproval, disgust, or revulsion of others. Yes, Jesus got angry. And yes, there is a time and place for anger about certain situations… abuses and mistreatments of others, for instance – or disrespect for God and His creation. But lashing out at another and calling him/her names, cursing, gesturing or even giving dirty looks does not accomplish anything except making us look like fools.
What is the solution? Jesus! When you are angry, go to a private corner and tell Him how you feel. Call on the Holy Spirit to calm you – to act like a balm on your heart and smooth out your ruffled feathers. Ask Him to show you how to proceed in a logical, loving manner that reflects the grace and mercy of God. Ask the Holy Spirit to guide your thoughts and actions… the words you speak – and those you write in places like social media. Make every word and action count for Jesus… and reflect your love and respect for the One who has given everything on your account.
Strive for the day when anger and hatred have no place in your heart. When you can begin to operate without these emotions, you will know that the Holy Spirit is alive and well in you… and so will everyone else.
©2012 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for August 26, 2012
James 1:19-21
My dear friends, you should be quick to listen and slow to speak or to get angry. If you are angry, you cannot do any of the good things that God wants done. You must stop doing anything immoral or evil. Instead be humble and accept the message that is planted in you to save you.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Most three-year-olds cannot control their temper or their tongue. They have not learned to use the right words or methods to express their feelings. So there are a lot of “I can’ts” and temper tantrums. Timothy told me one day, “I’m mad!” I asked why he was mad, and he couldn’t tell me. So he threw some toys and cried instead. As you can imagine, that really didn’t accomplish much!
I tried (unsuccessfully) to explain to Timothy that I might be able to help if I knew what made him mad. But we could not get anything done until we knew what problem we were addressing.
Even at a “grown-up” age, we are really no different. We still get angry over situations and lash out. We still behave irrationally and fail to truly spell out our issues, so that we can face them head-on. And we know better. God has equipped us with the ultimate tool for handling any and every situation… His Holy Spirit. All we have to do is stop and outline our situation… to say, “LORD, here I am… this is what’s going on… how do I proceed?”… and to trust Him to show us what needs to get done.
Instead, we often forge ahead on our own. The devil sits on our shoulder and rubs his hands greedily. And with the tiniest window of opportunity, he jumps in and says, “I think you should do it THIS way,” or “Nobody’s going to help you… you might as well have a little fun, get drunk or high, rant and rave and throw a fit…or simply give up.” Insert whatever trips your trigger here… because we all have the propensity to succumb to Satan’s voice if we are not watchful and diligent in our efforts to listen to the Holy Spirit!
Stay on your guard, and ask God to help you control your temper. Learn to express what is bothering you to the Holy Spirit… and to seek His guidance for how to handle even the smallest of everyday challenges. Not every day will be a bed of roses. Tests will come… trials and tribulations are inevitable. But God has planted a message of hope in your heart. He has equipped you with the full armor of His Holy Spirit, and you.can.do.this! Your job is to listen and pay attention. How are you doing so far?
©2012 Debbie Robus
My dear friends, you should be quick to listen and slow to speak or to get angry. If you are angry, you cannot do any of the good things that God wants done. You must stop doing anything immoral or evil. Instead be humble and accept the message that is planted in you to save you.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Most three-year-olds cannot control their temper or their tongue. They have not learned to use the right words or methods to express their feelings. So there are a lot of “I can’ts” and temper tantrums. Timothy told me one day, “I’m mad!” I asked why he was mad, and he couldn’t tell me. So he threw some toys and cried instead. As you can imagine, that really didn’t accomplish much!
I tried (unsuccessfully) to explain to Timothy that I might be able to help if I knew what made him mad. But we could not get anything done until we knew what problem we were addressing.
Even at a “grown-up” age, we are really no different. We still get angry over situations and lash out. We still behave irrationally and fail to truly spell out our issues, so that we can face them head-on. And we know better. God has equipped us with the ultimate tool for handling any and every situation… His Holy Spirit. All we have to do is stop and outline our situation… to say, “LORD, here I am… this is what’s going on… how do I proceed?”… and to trust Him to show us what needs to get done.
Instead, we often forge ahead on our own. The devil sits on our shoulder and rubs his hands greedily. And with the tiniest window of opportunity, he jumps in and says, “I think you should do it THIS way,” or “Nobody’s going to help you… you might as well have a little fun, get drunk or high, rant and rave and throw a fit…or simply give up.” Insert whatever trips your trigger here… because we all have the propensity to succumb to Satan’s voice if we are not watchful and diligent in our efforts to listen to the Holy Spirit!
Stay on your guard, and ask God to help you control your temper. Learn to express what is bothering you to the Holy Spirit… and to seek His guidance for how to handle even the smallest of everyday challenges. Not every day will be a bed of roses. Tests will come… trials and tribulations are inevitable. But God has planted a message of hope in your heart. He has equipped you with the full armor of His Holy Spirit, and you.can.do.this! Your job is to listen and pay attention. How are you doing so far?
©2012 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for August 15, 2012
Ephesians 4:26-32
Go ahead and be angry. You do well to be angry—but don't use your anger as fuel for revenge. And don't stay angry. Don't go to bed angry. Don't give the Devil that kind of foothold in your life.
Did you use to make ends meet by stealing? Well, no more! Get an honest job so that you can help others who can't work. Watch the way you talk. Let nothing foul or dirty come out of your mouth. Say only what helps, each word a gift.
Don't grieve God. Don't break his heart. His Holy Spirit, moving and breathing in you, is the most intimate part of your life, making you fit for himself. Don't take such a gift for granted.
Make a clean break with all cutting, backbiting, profane talk. Be gentle with one another, sensitive. Forgive one another as quickly and thoroughly as God in Christ forgave you.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
Our little Timothy has a new phrase… “I can’t.” For him, this phrase is multi-purpose – and used in a lot of situations. “I can’t go to bed! I can’t take a bath! I can’t eat that! I can’t build anything with my blocks!” You get the picture. Experts tell us that small children use phrases like this because they have not fully developed the language skills to express what is really bothering them. They also say that arguing with the child does not work… and may, in fact, escalate the situation into a full-blown tantrum. The recommendation is to be patient… to allow the child room to work out his/her differences in a non-confrontational setting… and if possible, to distract him/her and redirect the focus.
We know firsthand how challenging this is. And yet, we must begin at this young age to teach children how to use their words properly… how to “vent” their frustrations without anger or foul language… and how hurtful ugly talk can be to others – and to themselves.
As we grow, we must learn to control our temper – and our tongue. There are going to be plenty of things that irritate us… and maybe even drive us to anger. But when we let this fester and color our attitudes and behaviors, the devil wins. When we erupt in a confrontation and a plethora of foul words and hurtful comments, we give Satan a dozen reasons to celebrate. When we share untruths and lie, we cheat others – and ourselves – God is seriously grieved.
We sometimes forget that we have been given tremendous gifts… intelligence, talents, abilities, wit, and the skills to communicate with others. With these gifts come incredible responsibilities. God wants us to use the power of the Holy Spirit within us… manifested through our tongue and our actions… to glorify His holy name. He wants us to be a blessing to others… to share love, grace, mercy, forgiveness, and the GOOD NEWS of Jesus Christ. When we stoop to Satan’s level and use our words and actions in a confrontational, dishonest, or spiteful manner, we grieve God… and our “witness” is an epic fail.
Timothy will learn to express himself… and with our help, he will hopefully do so in a rational, calm, positive manner - most of the time! Those of us who are a little past the 3-year-old stage would do well to spend a while in communication with God and ask Him to help us get back on track. Examine your own life… your actions and words and how you treat others. Where do you need an attitude adjustment… and a taming of the tongue? Are you ready to operate in a manner that merits the tremendous gifts God has given you? Isn’t it time to get started?
©2012 Debbie Robus
Go ahead and be angry. You do well to be angry—but don't use your anger as fuel for revenge. And don't stay angry. Don't go to bed angry. Don't give the Devil that kind of foothold in your life.
Did you use to make ends meet by stealing? Well, no more! Get an honest job so that you can help others who can't work. Watch the way you talk. Let nothing foul or dirty come out of your mouth. Say only what helps, each word a gift.
Don't grieve God. Don't break his heart. His Holy Spirit, moving and breathing in you, is the most intimate part of your life, making you fit for himself. Don't take such a gift for granted.
Make a clean break with all cutting, backbiting, profane talk. Be gentle with one another, sensitive. Forgive one another as quickly and thoroughly as God in Christ forgave you.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
Our little Timothy has a new phrase… “I can’t.” For him, this phrase is multi-purpose – and used in a lot of situations. “I can’t go to bed! I can’t take a bath! I can’t eat that! I can’t build anything with my blocks!” You get the picture. Experts tell us that small children use phrases like this because they have not fully developed the language skills to express what is really bothering them. They also say that arguing with the child does not work… and may, in fact, escalate the situation into a full-blown tantrum. The recommendation is to be patient… to allow the child room to work out his/her differences in a non-confrontational setting… and if possible, to distract him/her and redirect the focus.
We know firsthand how challenging this is. And yet, we must begin at this young age to teach children how to use their words properly… how to “vent” their frustrations without anger or foul language… and how hurtful ugly talk can be to others – and to themselves.
As we grow, we must learn to control our temper – and our tongue. There are going to be plenty of things that irritate us… and maybe even drive us to anger. But when we let this fester and color our attitudes and behaviors, the devil wins. When we erupt in a confrontation and a plethora of foul words and hurtful comments, we give Satan a dozen reasons to celebrate. When we share untruths and lie, we cheat others – and ourselves – God is seriously grieved.
We sometimes forget that we have been given tremendous gifts… intelligence, talents, abilities, wit, and the skills to communicate with others. With these gifts come incredible responsibilities. God wants us to use the power of the Holy Spirit within us… manifested through our tongue and our actions… to glorify His holy name. He wants us to be a blessing to others… to share love, grace, mercy, forgiveness, and the GOOD NEWS of Jesus Christ. When we stoop to Satan’s level and use our words and actions in a confrontational, dishonest, or spiteful manner, we grieve God… and our “witness” is an epic fail.
Timothy will learn to express himself… and with our help, he will hopefully do so in a rational, calm, positive manner - most of the time! Those of us who are a little past the 3-year-old stage would do well to spend a while in communication with God and ask Him to help us get back on track. Examine your own life… your actions and words and how you treat others. Where do you need an attitude adjustment… and a taming of the tongue? Are you ready to operate in a manner that merits the tremendous gifts God has given you? Isn’t it time to get started?
©2012 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for May 27, 2012
Romans 12:19-21
Dear friends, don’t try to get even. Let God take revenge. In the Scriptures the Lord says, “I am the one to take revenge and pay them back.”
The Scriptures also say, “If your enemies are hungry, give them something to eat. And if they are thirsty, give them something to drink. This will be the same as piling burning coals on their heads.” Don’t let evil defeat you, but defeat evil with good.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
A few days ago, I stood in line at the Wal-Mart service desk to return an item. As I approached the desk, I observed two “associates” helping customers. Alongside me was a couple who walked up about the same time I did, and another man standing nearby. Honestly, I could not tell who was in line where, but we were all standing closer to the vicinity of one particular clerk. I was prepared to allow the couple standing next to me to proceed first. The more distant clerk finished with her customer, and the lone man stepped up to her register.
Immediately, there was noise from the couple standing beside me. The man began in a low grumble to say, “That’s it… just step on up, boy! Never mind if it’s your turn or not… just act like you own the place!” The woman beside him began muttering, “That’s enough, Joe! Stop it, Joe!” The man got louder and angrier with his snide comments while the woman stiffened and pretended not to notice. His entire body language said, “Let me at him… we will settle this in a fist fight!” I stood beside them and observed, and when the clerk in front of us finished with his customer, these people stepped up to be next in line without another word.
I’m not sure that the clerks ever knew what was happening. As far as I could see, the other man who had stepped up in line had no idea he was cutting ahead of these people, either. But I watched the couple finish their business and leave the store, and I was silently very sorry for the woman who has to put up with this angry man – and for the man who lets such pettiness ruin his day.
As I read this scripture passage, I realized that each one of us does exactly the same thing as this man… some of us on a daily basis. We let the little things take a toll on us. And whether we physically act on them or not, we seek revenge in our hearts. We mentally plot how to “get even” with the person who has “done us wrong.” And this has a cumulative effect… we become more cynical, bitter, and miserable. And the devil jumps up and down, claps his hands… and claims the victory!
Look…life is simply not fair. People will step in front of us in line… sometimes on purpose! We will be ignored, disrespected, used and mistreated. So was Jesus! If we want to be like Him, we have to truly BE like Him. We have to love the unlovely – and those who do not treat us fairly. We have to be His hands and feet to those who are ungrateful and greedy… the ones who never say “Thank you” and expect the moon with a sense of entitlement.
“But I don’t want to be a doormat!” you may say. Nobody does! But there is a difference in being a “doormat” and meeting the needs of others with kindness. Ask God to show you where to draw the line. You don’t have to give someone your last dollar at your own expense… but you can’t ignore his/her need if you have something you can afford to share. And kindness never cost anyone a cent!
If you are the person who lets others get to you… or the impatient “Joe” in the line at Wal-Mart, ask God to help you work on this. Pray for patience, mercy, and peace. Don’t let evil… or the devil… defeat you. Make this the day you get busy letting God have your battles… and changing your attitude in the bargain! When you let go of all of the negative energy that fuels thoughts of retaliation or offense, you begin to operate in the satisfaction of knowing that God has your back.
Aren’t you ready to bask in God’s peace? What do other see in you each day… the devil’s anger, or the love of Christ? Who do you represent?
©2012 Debbie Robus
Dear friends, don’t try to get even. Let God take revenge. In the Scriptures the Lord says, “I am the one to take revenge and pay them back.”
The Scriptures also say, “If your enemies are hungry, give them something to eat. And if they are thirsty, give them something to drink. This will be the same as piling burning coals on their heads.” Don’t let evil defeat you, but defeat evil with good.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
A few days ago, I stood in line at the Wal-Mart service desk to return an item. As I approached the desk, I observed two “associates” helping customers. Alongside me was a couple who walked up about the same time I did, and another man standing nearby. Honestly, I could not tell who was in line where, but we were all standing closer to the vicinity of one particular clerk. I was prepared to allow the couple standing next to me to proceed first. The more distant clerk finished with her customer, and the lone man stepped up to her register.
Immediately, there was noise from the couple standing beside me. The man began in a low grumble to say, “That’s it… just step on up, boy! Never mind if it’s your turn or not… just act like you own the place!” The woman beside him began muttering, “That’s enough, Joe! Stop it, Joe!” The man got louder and angrier with his snide comments while the woman stiffened and pretended not to notice. His entire body language said, “Let me at him… we will settle this in a fist fight!” I stood beside them and observed, and when the clerk in front of us finished with his customer, these people stepped up to be next in line without another word.
I’m not sure that the clerks ever knew what was happening. As far as I could see, the other man who had stepped up in line had no idea he was cutting ahead of these people, either. But I watched the couple finish their business and leave the store, and I was silently very sorry for the woman who has to put up with this angry man – and for the man who lets such pettiness ruin his day.
As I read this scripture passage, I realized that each one of us does exactly the same thing as this man… some of us on a daily basis. We let the little things take a toll on us. And whether we physically act on them or not, we seek revenge in our hearts. We mentally plot how to “get even” with the person who has “done us wrong.” And this has a cumulative effect… we become more cynical, bitter, and miserable. And the devil jumps up and down, claps his hands… and claims the victory!
Look…life is simply not fair. People will step in front of us in line… sometimes on purpose! We will be ignored, disrespected, used and mistreated. So was Jesus! If we want to be like Him, we have to truly BE like Him. We have to love the unlovely – and those who do not treat us fairly. We have to be His hands and feet to those who are ungrateful and greedy… the ones who never say “Thank you” and expect the moon with a sense of entitlement.
“But I don’t want to be a doormat!” you may say. Nobody does! But there is a difference in being a “doormat” and meeting the needs of others with kindness. Ask God to show you where to draw the line. You don’t have to give someone your last dollar at your own expense… but you can’t ignore his/her need if you have something you can afford to share. And kindness never cost anyone a cent!
If you are the person who lets others get to you… or the impatient “Joe” in the line at Wal-Mart, ask God to help you work on this. Pray for patience, mercy, and peace. Don’t let evil… or the devil… defeat you. Make this the day you get busy letting God have your battles… and changing your attitude in the bargain! When you let go of all of the negative energy that fuels thoughts of retaliation or offense, you begin to operate in the satisfaction of knowing that God has your back.
Aren’t you ready to bask in God’s peace? What do other see in you each day… the devil’s anger, or the love of Christ? Who do you represent?
©2012 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for April 11, 2012
Ephesians 4:25-32
What this adds up to, then, is this: no more lies, no more pretense. Tell your neighbor the truth. In Christ's body we're all connected to each other, after all. When you lie to others, you end up lying to yourself.
Go ahead and be angry. You do well to be angry—but don't use your anger as fuel for revenge. And don't stay angry. Don't go to bed angry. Don't give the Devil that kind of foothold in your life.
Did you use to make ends meet by stealing? Well, no more! Get an honest job so that you can help others who can't work.
Watch the way you talk. Let nothing foul or dirty come out of your mouth. Say only what helps, each word a gift.
Don't grieve God. Don't break his heart. His Holy Spirit, moving and breathing in you, is the most intimate part of your life, making you fit for himself. Don't take such a gift for granted.
Make a clean break with all cutting, backbiting, profane talk. Be gentle with one another, sensitive. Forgive one another as quickly and thoroughly as God in Christ forgave you.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
Unless you have been under a rock for the last two weeks, you know that we’ve had a scandal brewing in Arkansas involving the head football coach at one of our leading state universities. Bobby Petrino was fired on April 10th… dismissed “with cause”… meaning his $3.86 million annual salary ceases, and he is no longer employed by the state of Arkansas. Any way you slice it, this has been a sad situation for many… and as University of Arkansas Athletic Director Jeff Long put it in a press conference after the firing, “… it’s because people’s lives are affected here, and that’s what we sometimes miss.” This is an example of how we are all connected to each other in the body of Christ, and how one person’s lies affects not only others, but themselves.
Even though this would be a good “lesson” in and of itself, I want to focus on another portion of this scripture passage. See, I’ve been frustrated and judgmental of several people lately, if only in my own heart. I’ve deemed more than one person to be self-absorbed and inconsiderate of others’ feelings… “What were they thinking? How could they claim to be a caring, even “Godly” person and treat someone else with such disregard?” I’ve judged people who seemed inattentive to their family members and friends… and people who claim to serve God at every turn but only seem to truly serve themselves. On the surface, it often appears to us as “outsiders” that others are only doing what makes them feel good – and never considering how it affects anyone else.
This brings me to the last portion of this passage… “Be gentle with one another, sensitive. Forgive one another as quickly and thoroughly as God in Christ forgave you.” At the end of the day, we are all selfish and self-centered at times. Each of us has lied and thought of no one but ourselves. We’ve all said things we shouldn’t. And we have all had to bow before Jesus and ask for forgiveness, which has been quickly and freely granted.
So we must offer the same gentleness and sensitivity to those who make a mess of things… if only in our own estimation. We are right to be angry – to a point. I think our disappointment with Coach Petrino is justified. But at the end of the day, he is a child of God as much as you and I… and entitled to the same forgiveness from Jesus as we are (if he asks for it – and I believe he will). Judgment is not our job… but extending to others the forgiveness we have received certainly is!
I was called up short by these last verses. I have to release my anger and frustration toward others and offer them sensitivity, gentleness, and forgiveness – whether they ask me for it or not. Otherwise, the devil will use this negative “energy” to gnaw at me and steal my joy… and I am not willing to compromise this gift! There are at least two things we should take away from the scripture passage today:
©2012 Debbie Robus
What this adds up to, then, is this: no more lies, no more pretense. Tell your neighbor the truth. In Christ's body we're all connected to each other, after all. When you lie to others, you end up lying to yourself.
Go ahead and be angry. You do well to be angry—but don't use your anger as fuel for revenge. And don't stay angry. Don't go to bed angry. Don't give the Devil that kind of foothold in your life.
Did you use to make ends meet by stealing? Well, no more! Get an honest job so that you can help others who can't work.
Watch the way you talk. Let nothing foul or dirty come out of your mouth. Say only what helps, each word a gift.
Don't grieve God. Don't break his heart. His Holy Spirit, moving and breathing in you, is the most intimate part of your life, making you fit for himself. Don't take such a gift for granted.
Make a clean break with all cutting, backbiting, profane talk. Be gentle with one another, sensitive. Forgive one another as quickly and thoroughly as God in Christ forgave you.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
Unless you have been under a rock for the last two weeks, you know that we’ve had a scandal brewing in Arkansas involving the head football coach at one of our leading state universities. Bobby Petrino was fired on April 10th… dismissed “with cause”… meaning his $3.86 million annual salary ceases, and he is no longer employed by the state of Arkansas. Any way you slice it, this has been a sad situation for many… and as University of Arkansas Athletic Director Jeff Long put it in a press conference after the firing, “… it’s because people’s lives are affected here, and that’s what we sometimes miss.” This is an example of how we are all connected to each other in the body of Christ, and how one person’s lies affects not only others, but themselves.
Even though this would be a good “lesson” in and of itself, I want to focus on another portion of this scripture passage. See, I’ve been frustrated and judgmental of several people lately, if only in my own heart. I’ve deemed more than one person to be self-absorbed and inconsiderate of others’ feelings… “What were they thinking? How could they claim to be a caring, even “Godly” person and treat someone else with such disregard?” I’ve judged people who seemed inattentive to their family members and friends… and people who claim to serve God at every turn but only seem to truly serve themselves. On the surface, it often appears to us as “outsiders” that others are only doing what makes them feel good – and never considering how it affects anyone else.
This brings me to the last portion of this passage… “Be gentle with one another, sensitive. Forgive one another as quickly and thoroughly as God in Christ forgave you.” At the end of the day, we are all selfish and self-centered at times. Each of us has lied and thought of no one but ourselves. We’ve all said things we shouldn’t. And we have all had to bow before Jesus and ask for forgiveness, which has been quickly and freely granted.
So we must offer the same gentleness and sensitivity to those who make a mess of things… if only in our own estimation. We are right to be angry – to a point. I think our disappointment with Coach Petrino is justified. But at the end of the day, he is a child of God as much as you and I… and entitled to the same forgiveness from Jesus as we are (if he asks for it – and I believe he will). Judgment is not our job… but extending to others the forgiveness we have received certainly is!
I was called up short by these last verses. I have to release my anger and frustration toward others and offer them sensitivity, gentleness, and forgiveness – whether they ask me for it or not. Otherwise, the devil will use this negative “energy” to gnaw at me and steal my joy… and I am not willing to compromise this gift! There are at least two things we should take away from the scripture passage today:
- There is no room for ego in the life of a Christian. The choices and decisions we make affect others. “What about me?” will simply not cut it, if we truly want to live for Jesus. Virtually nothing in this life is totally about you or me.
- We must all realize that we can’t ask Jesus to forgive us… and then continue to judge others. We must operate in humility and an understanding that we are only one prayer for forgiveness away from being in the “hot seat” ourselves.
©2012 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for March 2, 2012
Psalm 37:4-8
Do what the LORD wants, and he will give you your heart's desire. Let the LORD lead you and trust him to help. Then it will be as clear as the noonday sun that you were right. Be patient and trust the LORD. Don't let it bother you when all goes well for those who do sinful things. Don't be angry or furious. Anger can lead to sin.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
We are apparently wired from birth to experience anger. How else would toddlers know to throw temper tantrums? Where would little children learn to lash out – at one another and at us? And even at young ages, the results of anger are often what most of us would consider “sinful”… bad behavior and “meltdowns,” physical abuse or mistreatment, and a generally poor attitude. Let’s face it… Satan is not picky about age. The younger he can gain a stronghold in our lives, the better!
But this is not the real point I want to stress today. What I want to emphasize is that we are all wired for anger, but we must not surrender to it. We must learn to rest in the LORD and let Him have control, rather than succumb to the ramifications of irritation and fury in our own lives. And we must do our part to teach children (of all ages) to do this, as well.
Does this mean that we will not be affected by news reports of injustice and mistreatment? Will we wear our rose-colored glasses and never get emotional when we see people get by with crime or dishonesty? When someone “does us wrong,” will we feel nothing? Absolutely not! But where and how we channel the energy of these emotions is what matters. We can be angry and furious… and open ourselves wide for the devil to step in and cause us to say things we shouldn’t, drive us to drink, or make us act out inappropriately… or we can turn to God, trust Him to help, and wait patiently for His response.
The next time something angers you… the next time you are bothered by some news or something you witness – or some injustice hurled in your direction… stop, breathe, listen... PRAY! Ask God to handle things according to HIS will, then give Him time and leeway to do so. Make sure that your words, actions and desires line up with God’s will. Do what pleases Him, trust Him to act as judge and jury over others, and bask in the blessings He will send your way.
When we get angry, nobody wins but Satan. Don’t give Him any victories… even for a second! Stay focused and still… and wait for the “good stuff” that God is getting ready to send your way.
©2012 Debbie Robus
Do what the LORD wants, and he will give you your heart's desire. Let the LORD lead you and trust him to help. Then it will be as clear as the noonday sun that you were right. Be patient and trust the LORD. Don't let it bother you when all goes well for those who do sinful things. Don't be angry or furious. Anger can lead to sin.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
We are apparently wired from birth to experience anger. How else would toddlers know to throw temper tantrums? Where would little children learn to lash out – at one another and at us? And even at young ages, the results of anger are often what most of us would consider “sinful”… bad behavior and “meltdowns,” physical abuse or mistreatment, and a generally poor attitude. Let’s face it… Satan is not picky about age. The younger he can gain a stronghold in our lives, the better!
But this is not the real point I want to stress today. What I want to emphasize is that we are all wired for anger, but we must not surrender to it. We must learn to rest in the LORD and let Him have control, rather than succumb to the ramifications of irritation and fury in our own lives. And we must do our part to teach children (of all ages) to do this, as well.
Does this mean that we will not be affected by news reports of injustice and mistreatment? Will we wear our rose-colored glasses and never get emotional when we see people get by with crime or dishonesty? When someone “does us wrong,” will we feel nothing? Absolutely not! But where and how we channel the energy of these emotions is what matters. We can be angry and furious… and open ourselves wide for the devil to step in and cause us to say things we shouldn’t, drive us to drink, or make us act out inappropriately… or we can turn to God, trust Him to help, and wait patiently for His response.
The next time something angers you… the next time you are bothered by some news or something you witness – or some injustice hurled in your direction… stop, breathe, listen... PRAY! Ask God to handle things according to HIS will, then give Him time and leeway to do so. Make sure that your words, actions and desires line up with God’s will. Do what pleases Him, trust Him to act as judge and jury over others, and bask in the blessings He will send your way.
When we get angry, nobody wins but Satan. Don’t give Him any victories… even for a second! Stay focused and still… and wait for the “good stuff” that God is getting ready to send your way.
©2012 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for July 18, 2011
Proverbs 22:8, 10
Troublemakers get in trouble, and their terrible anger will get them nowhere.
Arguments and fights will come to an end, if you chase away those who insult others.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
I was having a conversation with a friend recently about Facebook. We noted that there are some people who have expressed certain views and opinions – or used language we don’t condone – and we have had to block or remove them from our “Friends” list. I don’t want others who read my wall to see these types of posts and assume I approve of the content. Like it or not, we are quite often known by the company we keep!
A lot of people post comments on Facebook that are controversial at best… and downright offensive to many. They do this to get a rise out of others… because of their own anger… and quite honestly, out of fear – both imagined and justified. And it’s not just on Facebook. People do this in e-mail messages, letters to the editor of a local newspaper, face-to-face conversations, from the pulpit and the lecturn, and at table discussions at the local coffee shop or break room. A case in point is the “evangelist” whose rant I recently saw on a TV news show. She claimed that there was a connection with Spiritual ramifications between the blackbirds falling from the sky in Beebe, Arkansas… an Arkansas governor named Beebe… and a former Arkansas governor who supported “Don’t ask, don’t tell.” She tried to tie all of this into a neat package to suggest that the “end times were near”… and this was our sign!
As Christians, we have to change the channel on such nonsense! We have to “unfriend” those who choose to post insults and obscenities on Facebook. We must delete the e-mail messages that spread vicious lies and insults. And at times, we must stand up to those who send or say such things and say, “This is offensive to me… I do not like what you are saying and doing. I encourage you to stop… but at least stop including me in your messages/circle.”
If you couple these scripture verses with those in the New Testament where Jesus often confronted those who were causing trouble, you see that we are called to do our part to diffuse troublemakers and potentially volatile situations. There are times that ignoring angry outbursts and vile comments is the appropriate action. There are also times when we must confront those who are causing trouble… but always in a loving, caring manner – never insulting or being angry in return.
Simply blocking or avoiding those with angry tempers and troublesome behaviors may not be enough… and this could signal to others that you are on board. Ask God to help you discern when to be silent… and when to challenge troublemakers and disruptive behaviors. Ask God to give you understanding and compassion for those who are operating in fear… and to show you how to encourage them to seek His direction as they express their feelings. And while you are at it, ask God to give you the right attitude… and sense and sensibility in your own conduct.
©2011 Debbie Robus
Troublemakers get in trouble, and their terrible anger will get them nowhere.
Arguments and fights will come to an end, if you chase away those who insult others.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
I was having a conversation with a friend recently about Facebook. We noted that there are some people who have expressed certain views and opinions – or used language we don’t condone – and we have had to block or remove them from our “Friends” list. I don’t want others who read my wall to see these types of posts and assume I approve of the content. Like it or not, we are quite often known by the company we keep!
A lot of people post comments on Facebook that are controversial at best… and downright offensive to many. They do this to get a rise out of others… because of their own anger… and quite honestly, out of fear – both imagined and justified. And it’s not just on Facebook. People do this in e-mail messages, letters to the editor of a local newspaper, face-to-face conversations, from the pulpit and the lecturn, and at table discussions at the local coffee shop or break room. A case in point is the “evangelist” whose rant I recently saw on a TV news show. She claimed that there was a connection with Spiritual ramifications between the blackbirds falling from the sky in Beebe, Arkansas… an Arkansas governor named Beebe… and a former Arkansas governor who supported “Don’t ask, don’t tell.” She tried to tie all of this into a neat package to suggest that the “end times were near”… and this was our sign!
As Christians, we have to change the channel on such nonsense! We have to “unfriend” those who choose to post insults and obscenities on Facebook. We must delete the e-mail messages that spread vicious lies and insults. And at times, we must stand up to those who send or say such things and say, “This is offensive to me… I do not like what you are saying and doing. I encourage you to stop… but at least stop including me in your messages/circle.”
If you couple these scripture verses with those in the New Testament where Jesus often confronted those who were causing trouble, you see that we are called to do our part to diffuse troublemakers and potentially volatile situations. There are times that ignoring angry outbursts and vile comments is the appropriate action. There are also times when we must confront those who are causing trouble… but always in a loving, caring manner – never insulting or being angry in return.
Simply blocking or avoiding those with angry tempers and troublesome behaviors may not be enough… and this could signal to others that you are on board. Ask God to help you discern when to be silent… and when to challenge troublemakers and disruptive behaviors. Ask God to give you understanding and compassion for those who are operating in fear… and to show you how to encourage them to seek His direction as they express their feelings. And while you are at it, ask God to give you the right attitude… and sense and sensibility in your own conduct.
©2011 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for April 17, 2011
Psalm 77:2-15
I found myself in trouble and went looking for my Lord; my life was an open wound that wouldn't heal. When friends said, "Everything will turn out all right," I didn't believe a word they said.
I remember God—and shake my head. I bow my head—then wring my hands. I'm awake all night—not a wink of sleep; I can't even say what's bothering me.
I go over the days one by one, I ponder the years gone by. I strum my lute all through the night, wondering how to get my life together.
Will the Lord walk off and leave us for good? Will he never smile again? Is his love worn threadbare? Has his salvation promise burned out? Has God forgotten his manners? Has he angrily stalked off and left us? "Just my luck," I said. "The High God goes out of business just the moment I need him."
Once again I'll go over what GOD has done, lay out on the table the ancient wonders; I'll ponder all the things you've accomplished, and give a long, loving look at your acts. O God! Your way is holy! No god is great like God! You're the God who makes things happen; you showed everyone what you can do— You pulled your people out of the worst kind of trouble, rescued the children of Jacob and Joseph.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
Recently someone said something to me that caused me to question myself. The person expressed an opinion about how I had handled a business matter, and all of a sudden, I was filled with doubt. I thought I had done the right thing… in fact, I was sure of it. Yet the comments of one person caused me to second-guess what I already knew.
I shared the conversation with my husband, and he said, “That’s only one person’s opinion.” I reviewed some written guidelines I had been given and found that I had complied with all of them. Yet I was bothered for several hours by this encounter… until I realized that I was wasting time… and Satan was laughing. Then I got mad… and I spent some time in prayer and got over myself!
For the record, I wasn’t mad at the person with whom I spoke… or even the devil for causing me some angst. It was more a case of being mad at myself for allowing this! When I first felt unsettled about the conversation, I should have stopped everything and talked to God about it. And God tried to use my husband to tell me I was wasting time. But I still had to wring my hands for awhile and go over some scenarios in my head for how to fix things.
Here’s the deal… the next time frustration, doubt and second-guessing about anything creeps into your thought process – even something seemingly insignificant or of a highly secular manner – STOP WHAT YOU ARE DOING and PRAY! Remind yourself that God never stops working on your behalf. He always has your back. He is the God who makes things happen and pulls people out of the worst kind of trouble. Surely He can manage the doubt and worry the devil wants to give you! Don’t you think God could do a better job than you could of handling such things? Shouldn’t you at least give Him a try and find out for yourself?
©2011 Debbie Robus
I found myself in trouble and went looking for my Lord; my life was an open wound that wouldn't heal. When friends said, "Everything will turn out all right," I didn't believe a word they said.
I remember God—and shake my head. I bow my head—then wring my hands. I'm awake all night—not a wink of sleep; I can't even say what's bothering me.
I go over the days one by one, I ponder the years gone by. I strum my lute all through the night, wondering how to get my life together.
Will the Lord walk off and leave us for good? Will he never smile again? Is his love worn threadbare? Has his salvation promise burned out? Has God forgotten his manners? Has he angrily stalked off and left us? "Just my luck," I said. "The High God goes out of business just the moment I need him."
Once again I'll go over what GOD has done, lay out on the table the ancient wonders; I'll ponder all the things you've accomplished, and give a long, loving look at your acts. O God! Your way is holy! No god is great like God! You're the God who makes things happen; you showed everyone what you can do— You pulled your people out of the worst kind of trouble, rescued the children of Jacob and Joseph.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
Recently someone said something to me that caused me to question myself. The person expressed an opinion about how I had handled a business matter, and all of a sudden, I was filled with doubt. I thought I had done the right thing… in fact, I was sure of it. Yet the comments of one person caused me to second-guess what I already knew.
I shared the conversation with my husband, and he said, “That’s only one person’s opinion.” I reviewed some written guidelines I had been given and found that I had complied with all of them. Yet I was bothered for several hours by this encounter… until I realized that I was wasting time… and Satan was laughing. Then I got mad… and I spent some time in prayer and got over myself!
For the record, I wasn’t mad at the person with whom I spoke… or even the devil for causing me some angst. It was more a case of being mad at myself for allowing this! When I first felt unsettled about the conversation, I should have stopped everything and talked to God about it. And God tried to use my husband to tell me I was wasting time. But I still had to wring my hands for awhile and go over some scenarios in my head for how to fix things.
Here’s the deal… the next time frustration, doubt and second-guessing about anything creeps into your thought process – even something seemingly insignificant or of a highly secular manner – STOP WHAT YOU ARE DOING and PRAY! Remind yourself that God never stops working on your behalf. He always has your back. He is the God who makes things happen and pulls people out of the worst kind of trouble. Surely He can manage the doubt and worry the devil wants to give you! Don’t you think God could do a better job than you could of handling such things? Shouldn’t you at least give Him a try and find out for yourself?
©2011 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for March 6, 2011
James 1:19-20; 26
My dear friends, you should be quick to listen and slow to speak or to get angry. If you are angry, you cannot do any of the good things that God wants done.
If you think you are being religious, but can't control your tongue, you are fooling yourself, and everything you do is useless.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Sporting events provide a good arena to observe human nature. Some people are what one could describe as “fair weather” fans. They are ready to yell and cheer when their team is winning. When things slow down or the team lags behind, the fans start visiting with one another, or sitting with their hands folded in their laps… or talking/texting on their phones. But let something exciting or “big” happen on the field or court, and the fans jump to their feet as if they had been wholeheartedly following the game all along.
There are also fans who cannot seem to control themselves. Many are well-meaning… even parents or relatives and friends of team members. But they get so caught up in their own emotions that they lose sight of the bigger picture, it seems. They are quick to anger… and nothing is ever their team’s fault. It’s always the referees… or the coaches… or the other guy! The same people who faithfully fill a pew each Sunday in a local church (or maybe even lead a Bible study or Sunday-school class!) are the very same people who jump from their seats to yell and scream – or even curse or speak in a derogatory manner – at or about those involved in a sporting event!
We do this in all areas of life. We talk one way and act another. We are “fair-weather Christians” who get on the bandwagon when something exciting happens. We wave our hands and sing along at a Christian rock concert or even during praise and worship on Sunday morning. Then we lash out in anger… at family, friends, co-workers, and even people we don’t know who drive alongside us. We are quick to criticize and judge others… never recognizing that when you point one finger at someone else, three more are cocked in our own direction. We rock along with our hands in our lap… then when a crisis occurs, we open our Bibles, start praying – and for some - dare to darken the doors of a church sanctuary for the first time in weeks/months/years!
I know these things happen, because I do some of them, too. We need to pay attention to these verses in James… and we need to examine our behavior at every turn. I know we all think snappy comebacks are cool… but many of us would do well to stop and think a little bit about what we are going to say before we speak. Words spoken in anger and frustration are hard to retract – and often very hurtful and unbecoming.
If we spent a little more time being a fulltime Christian instead of a “fair-weather” participant, we might have a better shot at keeping our behaviors in check… along with our anger and our judgments. And… more of the good things of God’s kingdom might actually get done in the process. Isn’t it surely worth a shot?!
©2011 Debbie Robus
My dear friends, you should be quick to listen and slow to speak or to get angry. If you are angry, you cannot do any of the good things that God wants done.
If you think you are being religious, but can't control your tongue, you are fooling yourself, and everything you do is useless.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Sporting events provide a good arena to observe human nature. Some people are what one could describe as “fair weather” fans. They are ready to yell and cheer when their team is winning. When things slow down or the team lags behind, the fans start visiting with one another, or sitting with their hands folded in their laps… or talking/texting on their phones. But let something exciting or “big” happen on the field or court, and the fans jump to their feet as if they had been wholeheartedly following the game all along.
There are also fans who cannot seem to control themselves. Many are well-meaning… even parents or relatives and friends of team members. But they get so caught up in their own emotions that they lose sight of the bigger picture, it seems. They are quick to anger… and nothing is ever their team’s fault. It’s always the referees… or the coaches… or the other guy! The same people who faithfully fill a pew each Sunday in a local church (or maybe even lead a Bible study or Sunday-school class!) are the very same people who jump from their seats to yell and scream – or even curse or speak in a derogatory manner – at or about those involved in a sporting event!
We do this in all areas of life. We talk one way and act another. We are “fair-weather Christians” who get on the bandwagon when something exciting happens. We wave our hands and sing along at a Christian rock concert or even during praise and worship on Sunday morning. Then we lash out in anger… at family, friends, co-workers, and even people we don’t know who drive alongside us. We are quick to criticize and judge others… never recognizing that when you point one finger at someone else, three more are cocked in our own direction. We rock along with our hands in our lap… then when a crisis occurs, we open our Bibles, start praying – and for some - dare to darken the doors of a church sanctuary for the first time in weeks/months/years!
I know these things happen, because I do some of them, too. We need to pay attention to these verses in James… and we need to examine our behavior at every turn. I know we all think snappy comebacks are cool… but many of us would do well to stop and think a little bit about what we are going to say before we speak. Words spoken in anger and frustration are hard to retract – and often very hurtful and unbecoming.
If we spent a little more time being a fulltime Christian instead of a “fair-weather” participant, we might have a better shot at keeping our behaviors in check… along with our anger and our judgments. And… more of the good things of God’s kingdom might actually get done in the process. Isn’t it surely worth a shot?!
©2011 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for December 2, 2010
Ephesians 4:31
Stop being bitter and angry and mad at others. Don't yell at one another or curse each other or ever be rude.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
I was watching a report on ESPN about the Miami Heat going to Cleveland, Ohio, to play the Cleveland Cavaliers in a pro basketball game. Many of the residents of Cleveland are absolutely furious that LeBron James, dubbed “The King of Cleveland”, left their beloved city to play basketball in Miami. They feel James disrespected the city by announcing his free agency on national television before giving notice to his Cavaliers team. Lest you think I am exaggerating this whole thing, the ESPN report said that security, both at the Quicken Loans Arena, and that provided by the Cleveland police force, has been beefed up for the 8:00 p.m. game to an unprecedented level… and there will be extra security around the Miami bench. One Cleveland resident said, “There needs to be!”
This is an overblown example of everything Ephesians 4:31 says NOT to do... and I believe that most of us see how foolish it all is. But the businessmen who say their restaurant revenues are down because James left town don’t see it the same way, nor do countless other Cleveland residents who feel their “beef” is valid. And honestly, even if it is on a much smaller scale, we often act just like these people about equally ridiculous things. And yet they don’t seem ridiculous to us… at least at the time.
We seem to have a knack for getting upset, mad, angry, bitter, frustrated and resentful over the craziest things. We show out, act up, and treat others rudely in the bargain. “I let him/her know such and such!” or “I showed him/her who was boss,” or “You have got to be kidding me! They can’t treat me this way!” We get mad at the wait staff, so we don’t leave a tip. We get angry at referees at every sporting event from Little League to the pros. We plot our “revenge” against friends, family members… you name it. We’ll show them!
In the end, the only person who truly suffers is us… and those who have to be subjected to our tirades! We end up being regarded as someone who is negative, difficult, and unpleasant. People start to avoid us like the plague and think up excuses to escape our company. Who wants to be around a grump or a chronic complainer? Who wants to subject themselves to the potential to be mistreated or berated? Who in their right mind would think that we are living with a heart filled with Jesus Christ by the way we behave?
Do you see my point? We can’t be true disciples of Jesus and act this way. Nobody will believe us. Nobody will see His face in ours if we are negative, angry, resentful, or rude. No one will look at us and say, “I want what he/she has! I want to feel like that!” I have to imagine that this sort of behavior causes God to hang His head and feel extremely sad and disappointed.
I pray that we would start to examine our lives… our hearts… our motives – TODAY! It’s especially easy to get caught up in the “stress” of what should be one of the most blessed seasons of the year and let our tempers flare and our feelings hang out on our sleeves. But that totally belies our faith and the Reason for this season! Take a good hard look at yourself today. See where you are letting your emotions get the better of you… and ask God to change your heart… now and all through the year.
Begin to operate in positives, blessings, grace, mercy… and the love of Christ. Make needed changes to improve your attitude… and the sentiments of those around you in the bargain… and make these changes for good!
©2010 Debbie Robus
Stop being bitter and angry and mad at others. Don't yell at one another or curse each other or ever be rude.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
I was watching a report on ESPN about the Miami Heat going to Cleveland, Ohio, to play the Cleveland Cavaliers in a pro basketball game. Many of the residents of Cleveland are absolutely furious that LeBron James, dubbed “The King of Cleveland”, left their beloved city to play basketball in Miami. They feel James disrespected the city by announcing his free agency on national television before giving notice to his Cavaliers team. Lest you think I am exaggerating this whole thing, the ESPN report said that security, both at the Quicken Loans Arena, and that provided by the Cleveland police force, has been beefed up for the 8:00 p.m. game to an unprecedented level… and there will be extra security around the Miami bench. One Cleveland resident said, “There needs to be!”
This is an overblown example of everything Ephesians 4:31 says NOT to do... and I believe that most of us see how foolish it all is. But the businessmen who say their restaurant revenues are down because James left town don’t see it the same way, nor do countless other Cleveland residents who feel their “beef” is valid. And honestly, even if it is on a much smaller scale, we often act just like these people about equally ridiculous things. And yet they don’t seem ridiculous to us… at least at the time.
We seem to have a knack for getting upset, mad, angry, bitter, frustrated and resentful over the craziest things. We show out, act up, and treat others rudely in the bargain. “I let him/her know such and such!” or “I showed him/her who was boss,” or “You have got to be kidding me! They can’t treat me this way!” We get mad at the wait staff, so we don’t leave a tip. We get angry at referees at every sporting event from Little League to the pros. We plot our “revenge” against friends, family members… you name it. We’ll show them!
In the end, the only person who truly suffers is us… and those who have to be subjected to our tirades! We end up being regarded as someone who is negative, difficult, and unpleasant. People start to avoid us like the plague and think up excuses to escape our company. Who wants to be around a grump or a chronic complainer? Who wants to subject themselves to the potential to be mistreated or berated? Who in their right mind would think that we are living with a heart filled with Jesus Christ by the way we behave?
Do you see my point? We can’t be true disciples of Jesus and act this way. Nobody will believe us. Nobody will see His face in ours if we are negative, angry, resentful, or rude. No one will look at us and say, “I want what he/she has! I want to feel like that!” I have to imagine that this sort of behavior causes God to hang His head and feel extremely sad and disappointed.
I pray that we would start to examine our lives… our hearts… our motives – TODAY! It’s especially easy to get caught up in the “stress” of what should be one of the most blessed seasons of the year and let our tempers flare and our feelings hang out on our sleeves. But that totally belies our faith and the Reason for this season! Take a good hard look at yourself today. See where you are letting your emotions get the better of you… and ask God to change your heart… now and all through the year.
Begin to operate in positives, blessings, grace, mercy… and the love of Christ. Make needed changes to improve your attitude… and the sentiments of those around you in the bargain… and make these changes for good!
©2010 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for November 29, 2010
1 John 2:9
If we claim to be in the light and hate someone, we are still in the dark.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
The more I grow in my faith, the more easily I am convicted when I fall short. So when I checked out at Wal-Mart recently, I swiped my credit card and put it away in my wallet. The young cashier was distracted, marking the coupons I had just used before putting them into the cash drawer. She looked up and said, “The machine did not read your card. Please swipe it again.” I got the card out of my wallet and swiped it again while the cashier went back to marking the coupons.
Again, she looked up… and this time she punched several buttons and said, “Oh, it didn’t read the card. Please swipe it again.” Before I could stop myself, I sighed heavily, feeling somewhat frustrated, and pulled out my card and swiped it for the third time. It worked… she punched some buttons on her side of the register, and the transaction was completed. And I was embarrassed. I have a feeling my frustration had shown, and that was not a Christian attitude. I tried to smile, and I thanked her generously as I left, and she muttered, “You have a wonderful day”… and I didn’t feel I deserved her politeness at that point.
You may be thinking, “Get over yourself. This is a small thing.” But really, it’s not. When it comes to being a Christian, we truly can’t “have it both ways.” We can’t claim the name of Jesus on Sunday, while we are at church, and then curse the NFL coach who infuriates us that afternoon. We can’t say we love the Lord while we are calling others names.
We cannot profess to be disciples of Christ, and then walk around angry and mad at the world – or the people in it. We can’t talk about our faith in one breath and treat others rudely or disrespectfully in the next. We can’t sigh heavily in frustration at a clerk who is doing her job, because we are frustrated at a machine that doesn’t cooperate! If we really and truly have invited Jesus to send His Holy Spirit to live in and through us, we have to operate differently. Otherwise, we are still in the dark. We may think we have received the Holy Spirit and are living for Jesus, but we’re actually just going through the motions.
I think what bothered me more about the Wal-Mart thing was that I questioned after I left whether that girl knew I was a disciple of Christ. Did she see the Light of Christ in my behavior and demeanor? Did she hear His love, grace and mercy in the tone of my voice and the things I said to her? Or did she see someone who was operating in the dark?
What do others see when they are in your presence? Is the light of Christ evident? Do you reflect His teachings in your thoughts, words and actions? Or do you operate in the dark? The choice is ours… and it’s sometimes a tough one! But it does get easier, with practice and prayer. If you are struggling to operate in the light of Christ and exhibit His teachings, even in challenging or frustrating situations, ask God to help you. He will… and you will feel so much better.
I can’t change what happened at Wal-Mart, but I’ve asked God to forgive me… and to temper the cashier’s impression of me. I will learn and grow from this… with God’s help. And next time, I pray the Light of Christ will shine through, rather than darkness… and leave no question as to Whom I follow! Is your “Light” on these days?
©2010 Debbie Robus
If we claim to be in the light and hate someone, we are still in the dark.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
The more I grow in my faith, the more easily I am convicted when I fall short. So when I checked out at Wal-Mart recently, I swiped my credit card and put it away in my wallet. The young cashier was distracted, marking the coupons I had just used before putting them into the cash drawer. She looked up and said, “The machine did not read your card. Please swipe it again.” I got the card out of my wallet and swiped it again while the cashier went back to marking the coupons.
Again, she looked up… and this time she punched several buttons and said, “Oh, it didn’t read the card. Please swipe it again.” Before I could stop myself, I sighed heavily, feeling somewhat frustrated, and pulled out my card and swiped it for the third time. It worked… she punched some buttons on her side of the register, and the transaction was completed. And I was embarrassed. I have a feeling my frustration had shown, and that was not a Christian attitude. I tried to smile, and I thanked her generously as I left, and she muttered, “You have a wonderful day”… and I didn’t feel I deserved her politeness at that point.
You may be thinking, “Get over yourself. This is a small thing.” But really, it’s not. When it comes to being a Christian, we truly can’t “have it both ways.” We can’t claim the name of Jesus on Sunday, while we are at church, and then curse the NFL coach who infuriates us that afternoon. We can’t say we love the Lord while we are calling others names.
We cannot profess to be disciples of Christ, and then walk around angry and mad at the world – or the people in it. We can’t talk about our faith in one breath and treat others rudely or disrespectfully in the next. We can’t sigh heavily in frustration at a clerk who is doing her job, because we are frustrated at a machine that doesn’t cooperate! If we really and truly have invited Jesus to send His Holy Spirit to live in and through us, we have to operate differently. Otherwise, we are still in the dark. We may think we have received the Holy Spirit and are living for Jesus, but we’re actually just going through the motions.
I think what bothered me more about the Wal-Mart thing was that I questioned after I left whether that girl knew I was a disciple of Christ. Did she see the Light of Christ in my behavior and demeanor? Did she hear His love, grace and mercy in the tone of my voice and the things I said to her? Or did she see someone who was operating in the dark?
What do others see when they are in your presence? Is the light of Christ evident? Do you reflect His teachings in your thoughts, words and actions? Or do you operate in the dark? The choice is ours… and it’s sometimes a tough one! But it does get easier, with practice and prayer. If you are struggling to operate in the light of Christ and exhibit His teachings, even in challenging or frustrating situations, ask God to help you. He will… and you will feel so much better.
I can’t change what happened at Wal-Mart, but I’ve asked God to forgive me… and to temper the cashier’s impression of me. I will learn and grow from this… with God’s help. And next time, I pray the Light of Christ will shine through, rather than darkness… and leave no question as to Whom I follow! Is your “Light” on these days?
©2010 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for November 28, 2010
Leviticus 19:17
"Don't secretly hate your neighbor. If you have something against him, get it out into the open; otherwise you are an accomplice in his guilt.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
Have you ever known someone who rubbed you the wrong way? So many of us go around harboring a grudge against another person… and sometimes we don’t even realize it! And frankly, a lot of the people who irritate us have absolutely no clue that we feel this way. So we have a choice… we can “forgive and forget,” or we can hold onto the grudge and let it eat away at us and make us miserable. Now which do you think God prefers we choose?
For a lot of life’s insults and infractions, “forgive and forget” is the best policy. But there are times, as we read in the scripture, when clearing the air is both effective and necessary. There comes a time when you have to sometimes say to someone else, “I was offended by what you said/did,” and give them a chance to apologize and make amends.
If a friend or family member is taking advantage of your generosity, and you find yourself becoming bitter or feeling used, it may be time to say, “This is making me uncomfortable… I think we need to set some limits.” If you feel that someone is behaving in an inconsiderate manner toward you or someone else, and you are frustrated – or even angry – toward that person, you should probably pull them aside and say, “I do not feel this situation is right. How can we make some adjustments?”
This scripture passage is not a license to judge or condemn others, because to do so would be the same as harboring a grudge… and we would be bringing guilt and judgment on ourselves in the bargain. God wants us to rise above resentment and disagreement. He wants us to be so focused on loving each other and loving Him that we have no time for judgment, bitterness, resentments and grudges. God wants us to focus solely on things that serve His kingdom. And sometimes, in order to do this, we have to stop and clear the air… kindly and gently!
Where are you holding a grudge these days… if even a “minor” one? Who do you need to speak with and clear the air? What adjustments can you make that will improve the situation for everyone? This is the time to start. Get things out in the open, and begin to operate in love, kindness and honesty. Your relationship with your neighbor will improve. More importantly, so will your relationship with your Heavenly Father… and this is what really matters. Take the necessary measures to get over your grudges… and get on with the important business of operating in the love of Christ and serving as His disciple.
©2010 Debbie Robus
"Don't secretly hate your neighbor. If you have something against him, get it out into the open; otherwise you are an accomplice in his guilt.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
Have you ever known someone who rubbed you the wrong way? So many of us go around harboring a grudge against another person… and sometimes we don’t even realize it! And frankly, a lot of the people who irritate us have absolutely no clue that we feel this way. So we have a choice… we can “forgive and forget,” or we can hold onto the grudge and let it eat away at us and make us miserable. Now which do you think God prefers we choose?
For a lot of life’s insults and infractions, “forgive and forget” is the best policy. But there are times, as we read in the scripture, when clearing the air is both effective and necessary. There comes a time when you have to sometimes say to someone else, “I was offended by what you said/did,” and give them a chance to apologize and make amends.
If a friend or family member is taking advantage of your generosity, and you find yourself becoming bitter or feeling used, it may be time to say, “This is making me uncomfortable… I think we need to set some limits.” If you feel that someone is behaving in an inconsiderate manner toward you or someone else, and you are frustrated – or even angry – toward that person, you should probably pull them aside and say, “I do not feel this situation is right. How can we make some adjustments?”
This scripture passage is not a license to judge or condemn others, because to do so would be the same as harboring a grudge… and we would be bringing guilt and judgment on ourselves in the bargain. God wants us to rise above resentment and disagreement. He wants us to be so focused on loving each other and loving Him that we have no time for judgment, bitterness, resentments and grudges. God wants us to focus solely on things that serve His kingdom. And sometimes, in order to do this, we have to stop and clear the air… kindly and gently!
Where are you holding a grudge these days… if even a “minor” one? Who do you need to speak with and clear the air? What adjustments can you make that will improve the situation for everyone? This is the time to start. Get things out in the open, and begin to operate in love, kindness and honesty. Your relationship with your neighbor will improve. More importantly, so will your relationship with your Heavenly Father… and this is what really matters. Take the necessary measures to get over your grudges… and get on with the important business of operating in the love of Christ and serving as His disciple.
©2010 Debbie Robus
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