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I am so quick to want other people to change. I want those around me, people I know, to change their way of thinking. I want them to change their actions, their attitudes, their decision making. Sometimes, I say to myself, “Why can’t they see what I see? Why can’t they understand my point of view? Why won’t they do things my way?” To truly change others is humanly impossible for any of us to do. The only One who can truly change us is God almighty! He alone transforms a person’s way of thinking, their actions, and their attitude. Instead of spending my time and energy on trying to change the people around me, I need to begin with me. What changes can I make within myself? What can I do differently? Well, for a start, I can do better on controlling my mouth (Prov. 15:1). I need to work on thinking before I speak (Prov. 29:20; Prov. 15:28). Every now and then, I have a Peter moment; I allow my emotions and my temper to get the best of me, causing me to react without thinking, and sadly, sinning against God (Mark 8:33; John 18:10). I can work on that complaining spirit that tends to pop his ugly head out every now and then. Oh, yeah. I can definitely need help with my patience. PONDER ON THIS…….. We all can change some things about ourselves. The Spirit fights against the sinful nature and the sinful nature fights against the Spirit (Gal 5:17). Although, we are Believers, we still fall and disappoint God. It’s so easy to look at the next person and see their faults (Matt. 7:3-5), but it can be a little challenging to recognize our own faults. Things to Consider: Are there some things about yourself that needs some adjusting, a little work? What changes can you make? Maybe you can work on changing your attitude about another person. Could you be less intimidating or less judgmental (Matt. 7:1-2)? How about trying to be more encouraging and less critical? Instead of finding things to complain about, try being grateful and more positive. Sisters, we cannot change others, but there are some changes we can begin to make within ourselves. We can change how we see others. We can try to see things through their eyes and put ourselves in their shoes. Let’s start with the woman in the mirror. Change that person. Then, allow God to make the changes in the people around us.
It’s Wednesday, Hump Day. Here’s our biblical principle to help us over the hump.
Don’t judge others, and God will not judge you. If you judge others, you will be judged the same way you judge them. God will treat you the same way you treat others. “Why do you notice the small piece of dust that is in your friend’s eye, but you don’t notice the big piece of wood that is in your own? Why do you say to your friend, ‘Let me take that piece of dust out of your eye’? Look at yourself first! You still have that big piece of wood in your own eye. You are a hypocrite! First, take the wood out of your own eye. Then you will see clearly to get the dust out of your friend’s eye. (Matt. 7:1-5, ERV)
Encouraging You to Walk in Freedom! ™
Originally posted January 19, 2012
For more encouragement, purchase my new devotional book, Walking in Freedom!