All Is Not As It Seems

So then, let us pursue what makes for peace and for building up one another. 

Romans 14:19

If we pay attention to the news, some might think God has taken His hand off of us and is letting evil run rampant.  However, that is not the case.  God is alive and well and still in control of ALL things (even when we don't understand what He's doing).

We strive with each other and God reminds us through Apostle Paul to pursue what makes for peace and for building up one another.  The world and all its wars and chaos will become heavy burdens if that is where we focus our hearts and souls!  But God... there should our focus be!

We Can Work It Out!

This is what you do if one of your brothers or sisters sins: go to him, in private, and tell him just what you perceive the wrong to be. If he listens to you, you’ve won a brother. 

Matthew 18:15 

 

When you have a disagree with someone, how do you handle it?  Do you publicly call them  out?  Do you make a huge deal about the fact that you feel or think differently?  Or do you go to that person, in confidence, and try to work out the differences?

 

Keeping in mind that we are called to build each other up and encourage each other, there will be times when we will disagree.  Believe it or not, the disagreement isn't the issue, how we handle that disagreement IS the issue!  

 

I admit that there have been times when I have handled a disagreement VERY badly.  I have apologized to those who got caught in the explosion, and trust that forgiveness has been granted.  But from these events, I am learning that one of the foundational traits of a Chaplain is CONFIDENTIALITY!  Handle things between you and the other person.  If you can reach an agreement (even if it is to agree to not agree, and also not discuss it further), then you have saved the relationship.

 

There are benefits to reaching a resolution between the two of you....each of you gets to "save face" because no one else will get dragged into the issue; between the two of you, it's easier to discuss calmly; between the two of you, you realize that neither of you is perfect and perhaps even a change of perspective will result.

 

Let's face it, good relationships are very difficult to cultivate.  

Get Your DIFFERENT On!

And don’t forget to do good and to share with those in need. These are the sacrifices that please God.

Hebrews 13:16 

 Which are you likely to remember more...someone who is nice to you or someone who ignores you?  How about that person who nitpicks everything you do so that you feel scared to say or do anything?  How about that person who, for no reason in particular, does something for you that brings a smile?

God tells us that we are to be DIFFERENT!  We are to be the person who encourages and build up others!  We are to be the people who are so weird because we actually care about each other!  While the rest of the world is hung up on the negative, we are to be the example of positive.  

Just a thought to ponder today!

Why Wait?

"Never Stop Praying" - 1 Thessalonians 5:17

 

Why do we wait for some tragic event to occur before we start advertising that we are or ought to be praying?  The fact of the matter is that we should be in constant prayer.  As I've said before, prayer isn't saying nice things to God in Ye Olde English that we think He wants to hear.  Prayer is a conversation.  There are no special words to use in a special way, just talk to God in the same way you talk to your closest friend.

 

Sometimes it's easier to write prayers than to voice them.  I keep a notebook with me and sometimes I'll write a letter to God (especially if I want to remember what we discussed).  

 

Prayer isn't difficult.  

It doesn't take a special posture.

It doesn't require a special place.

You can pray while you're walking, working, driving, talking with someone else...you can pray while doing anything.

 

So why do we wait to pray?  Go ahead and start the conversation.   

Make the MOST of Today

Use your heads as you live and work among outsiders. Don’t miss a trick. Make the most of every opportunity. Be gracious in your speech. The goal is to bring out the best in others in a conversation, not put them down, not cut them out.

Colossians 4:5-6

When you think of "making the most of every day," what comes to mind?  Do you think about how YOU can get ahead or do you consider how you can help others?  Make the most of every moment of every day!  That might sound like a lot of work because our natural instinct it to look out only for #1.  Have you notice that the message of the Bible is often in direct conflict with how we naturally think and act?

When you have conversations, bring out the best in others!  That takes focused effort.  Is it worth the effort?  Absolutely!  You see, when we are able to bring out the best in others, not only does that reflect on us, but it is much appreciated by others AND those who hear the conversation will see you in a more positive light.  It's truly a win-win prospect.

Now...on the other side of that coin, when we put someone down or just leave them out of the conversation altogether (even when they are standing right there), that also reflects back on us and those who hear the conversation will see you in a different light.  A light we may not appreciate.

If you notice, I spend quite a bit of time talking about encouraging others and building them up and reaching out to help them.  Why?  Because the influences of our society hammer us with the opposite message day after day!  Take a moment, right now, and lift someone up that you normally might not.    

Today's Gift Just For You

This is the day the Lord has made.
    We will rejoice and be glad in it.

Psalm 118:24 

 

How many of us have ever heard the alarm go off, only to realize it's Monday, and we seriously consider dismantling the alarm clock?  Have you ever felt like you just wanted to crawl back in bed instead of getting up to face the day?  When did our perception of the day change from one of celebration to one of dread?

 

When I was a tyke (stop laughing), I liked getting up in the morning because I didn't know what the day held in store but was anxious to find out.  Such is the mind of an innocent, unjaded, inquisitive mind.  Somewhere along the line of life, the thought of having to get up and do something has become a curse.

 

Consider this: God made today just for you!  You have a part in this day!  You are important to the way today will play out.  God loves you so much that He made this day especially for you!  That's a gift worth being glad and even being happy in.  Today....is YOURS!

Today's Challenge: Encourage!

Encouraging words are like a honeycomb,
sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.

Proverbs 16:24 

Let's be honest, we all like to be encouraged.  There's something about hearing the words of uplifting affirmation that makes our day a little brighter and makes our storms a little less stressful.  So why is it so difficult for us to encourage each other?  My experience has been, more often than not, we seek to criticize rather than encourage.  When one hears naught but criticism, resentment and anger will be the result.

But think about this, encouragement comes in many forms other than words.  How about when someone smiles and says, "Thank You"?  How about when you are struggling and someone comes alongside and sits with you through the storm, instead of abandoning you? How about when someone you wouldn't expect comes up to you, shakes your hand and tells you that you are appreciated?

I walked into my office this morning and found that someone had left a basket of apples and a note of appreciation for the Deputies in the squad room. I was encouraged because someone else cared about the same people that I do and aren't afraid to show it.

A little encouragement goes a LONG way!  Every morning when we wake up, God is giving us another opportunity to encourage each other!