I have begun to notice how many times a fellow brother or sister has said to me the words penned above. I believe that could be translated: “I have no emotion left for that”, or “I really don’t value you enough to take time for you”.
You would think that I had asked for someone to clean my house, or balance my checkbook, or rear my children for the next 5 years. The response came, however, after expressing my thoughts to a friend, or asking for an opinion, on the color of a dress. And what was really “said” to me was, ‘It’s all about me right now.’
And so, if we don’t have energy (i.e. emotional energy) to be a friend to another person, or to offer an opinion when asked for it, then what is our energy being spent on? I offer a list of possibilities –
· Self-absorption? (isn’t that pride?)
· Self-pity?
· Frustration about what has already happened?
· Anxiety over what might happen?
· Anger over what just happened?
· Overwhelming, self-made demands?
Beth Moore wrote: The most effective means the enemy has to keep believers from being full of the Spirit is to keep us full of ourselves.
Daniel 7:25 speaks to the fact that Satan’s mission is to wear out the saints of the Most High. I think he is accomplishing his purpose pretty successfully.
Don’t think for a moment that I haven’t said the same words, maybe to some of you who are reading this. And let me stop here to sincerely apologize for my lack of concern for you or your needs.
Honestly, if we would just step away from ourselves and our consuming thoughts about us, then we might see the hurts that our brothers and sisters are carrying, and we might be able to ease their pain, if only for a moment.
Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Gentleness, Self-control go a long way….the fruit of the Spirit….the fruit (isn’t that the good stuff on the tree?) that comes from being rooted in Christ.
How can we keep from being worn out? Humble yourselves (the opposite of being proud) under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care (distractions, anxieties, worries of the mind) upon Him, for He cares for you. I Peter 5:6-7
If I’ve stepped on your toes, please know that I have first stopped walking to examine my own two feet.
You would think that I had asked for someone to clean my house, or balance my checkbook, or rear my children for the next 5 years. The response came, however, after expressing my thoughts to a friend, or asking for an opinion, on the color of a dress. And what was really “said” to me was, ‘It’s all about me right now.’
And so, if we don’t have energy (i.e. emotional energy) to be a friend to another person, or to offer an opinion when asked for it, then what is our energy being spent on? I offer a list of possibilities –
· Self-absorption? (isn’t that pride?)
· Self-pity?
· Frustration about what has already happened?
· Anxiety over what might happen?
· Anger over what just happened?
· Overwhelming, self-made demands?
Beth Moore wrote: The most effective means the enemy has to keep believers from being full of the Spirit is to keep us full of ourselves.
Daniel 7:25 speaks to the fact that Satan’s mission is to wear out the saints of the Most High. I think he is accomplishing his purpose pretty successfully.
Don’t think for a moment that I haven’t said the same words, maybe to some of you who are reading this. And let me stop here to sincerely apologize for my lack of concern for you or your needs.
Honestly, if we would just step away from ourselves and our consuming thoughts about us, then we might see the hurts that our brothers and sisters are carrying, and we might be able to ease their pain, if only for a moment.
Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Gentleness, Self-control go a long way….the fruit of the Spirit….the fruit (isn’t that the good stuff on the tree?) that comes from being rooted in Christ.
How can we keep from being worn out? Humble yourselves (the opposite of being proud) under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care (distractions, anxieties, worries of the mind) upon Him, for He cares for you. I Peter 5:6-7
If I’ve stepped on your toes, please know that I have first stopped walking to examine my own two feet.
Sincerely, I want to love you more than I have in the past. May God’s grace abound.
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