The word of God, is given – God breathed it into existence, as the Holy Spirit inspired and gave to men to record for our use.
“… more than my necessary food.” Job 23:12
Character Muscle: RESPECT
How you talk with and listen to others is a great way to show respect. It’s in the manner you engage, not so much whether you agree or disagree.
Respect doesn’t mean you’re giving in to the other guy. Showing respect can be quite simple. One definition of respect is, “a courteous consideration of another person.”
You can show respect even in disagreement. Be patient in your listening, calm in your talking, and not hurried to respond when it’s your turn.
Respect is then, in part, how you treat the other person while having a conversation. Acknowledging their point of view and present your own thoughts in an understandable way.
If our debates and arguments can be exercised with restraint and respect, whether or not we have the same goal, we can learn and grow from such exchange.
Don’t be a right-fighter. Cooperative is better than combative.
What’s on Your Convictions List?
What do you believe in strong enough to know when to say yes or no, turn to the left or right, keep at it or cut your losses? What’s on your “Convictions List”?
Asking yourself, “What’s the most productive thing I can do right now?” is a great question, but if you don’t have a strong belief in why you do the things you do, you’ll probably stay busy but hardly be satisfied with your day.
Coach Pete Carroll shares this belief with his players:
“In order to be successful, you must have a consistent philosophy. If you change who you are from year to year – you’re never going to be great at anything.”
Start small. Be true to who you are. This philosophy of yours – these convictions – should be rooted deep within you and articulated carefully. Quality over quantity on this exercise.
One of the keys to finding happiness in life is having some conviction about the life you’re living.
Live in the Present
We all have a past. If we try to forget it, we ignore potential lessons. If we hang on to it … well, we might miss on present and future opportunity. Acknowledge the past. Our past is important, though not as important as our present is to our future.
We have a present. An unquiet mind or an anxious spirit might cause us to miss it. We too busy worrying about what others are or might be thinking about us. We tend to become too cautious or too hurried to figure out what’s next. Live in the present. This time is a gift. For now.
We have a future. It’ll come soon enough. Having goals is good. Preparing for future times is wise. A “When Then, Then This” thought process can be helpful “So That” you’re prepared for potential surprises. Prepare for the future.
Acknowledge the Past. Live in the Present. Prepare for the Future.
Be aware that if there is a battle — it’s the one right in front of you, not the one behind you, nor the one still a ways down the road.
Wisdom of Wooden
I’ve read that John Wooden grew up with a mantra his father passed along to him, and then he passed along to his players:
Don’t Whine; Don’t Complain; Don’t Make Excuses
Such sage advice to be adopted at early ages will serve you well as you grow, and grow you well as you serve.
War
“Until you know that life is WAR, you don’t really know what PRAYER is for.”
RINSE Away Your Anger
RINSE: Anger is a real emotion. Yet, we should not let it control our behavior or control our time. We read in Eph 4:26 – “Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:”
That second part used to be a tough one for me. I thought that I shouldn’t sleep until a situation was resolved. That thinking often led to more frustration, hotter emotions, tired tomorrows … I was giving the devil a foothold!
I’ve learned how to leave my emotions at the cross, and end my day calmly using at least one thing from what I call RINSE:
R – Write. Get the anger out of my head onto paper. Walk away.
I – Ingredients. The kitchen, for me, is a prayer closet. I’ll often prepare foods to use for our component-style cooking, praying or singing while I prepare.
N – Neaten. Cleaning or organizing burns off the edge of an anger, plus I’ve got something positive done!
S – Shower. An actual rinse, sometimes simply standing under the water and praying (or crying).
E – Exercise. Walking, dancing, stairs – whatever I can for as long as it takes for the anger to subside.
Don’t run with anger into a marathon for resolution (sin will eventually become a running mate). Neither let anger linger for the devil to build it into something bigger. If a thing cannot be solved quick, do a RINSE. Defer your anger (Prov 19:11). Sleep well. Sin not.
The Battle Within
I felt his presence again just the other night. It had been awhile. Time was prime for his appearance. I was tired. There was a crowd about us. In a hurry. The person before me was … in a mood. And then, it happened.
A verbal attack thrust upon me. Or so it seemed in my weak state. Calm, yet pointed. And he almost got out. My old self. My prideful self. The one quick to anger and adept with pointed words. On the tip of my tongue he sat, ready to pounce.
The battle on the outside is really a battle within.
The Holy Spirit is always more ready than I. I remembered Psalm 119:165 (no need to be offended). I recalled Prov 13:10 (contention is caused by pride) and Prov 26:20 (no wood, no fire). And 2 Cor 4:17 put things in proper perspective (this problem is lightweight compared). In my mind’s eye and ear, I watched Stephen stoned and heard his last words of forgiveness (Acts 7:60).
My old self was kept at bay. A sincere and courteous parting I offered to my opponent. I departed in victory. Yet, I struggled for a few moments as pride from the victory began to rise up within me. The wrestling match continues (Eph 6:12).
I know that only by the mighty power of God was I able to withstand these so small battle. Only because of the gift of God was I able to bear a good witness. Only because I have access to God through Christ, was I able to confess these innermost thoughts and rest assured that I am cleansed. Victory over the battle within.
Jesus knows. While hanging from the cross, innocent yet punished in the worst of ways. All the while, knowing why and for whom (for you, for me). Blameless. So that He could say, “It is finished,” and be for each who receives His gift, the way and the truth for eternal life with Him (John 14:6). Thank you, Jesus.
Escape: Transportation or Transformation?
A Way to Escape
There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
1 Cor 10:13
The Bible tells us God is ever faithful and will always see to it that we are not tempted above what we can bear – that with temptation, He will also make a way to escape … so that we can bear whatever temptation we do have before us.
While escape sounds like a transportation, sometimes a change of location is not immediately possible. Might there be other ways of escape?
Rather than an escape of transportation, perhaps an escape of transformation:
- By prayer
- By Bible reading
- By worship (humming a favorite hymn)
- By witness (focus on God’s creative work)
- By working as unto the Lord
- By fellowship
When in private temptations, I do my best to avoid hiding in the dark but to hide in the light. Get in front of such temptation by being in public places.
And to set my mind on Godly things (Php 4:8).
Other references to escape: Luke 21:36, Heb 2:3
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Remain Humble in Learning
Lord, please keep me humble while learning thy precepts. Spirit, please guide me to learn and apply what you see fit for me this day. (1Cor 8:2)
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