Discipline and Button Pushers

It had been my opinion that some people have been gifted to write, and the rest of us are gifted to read and enjoy their gifts. There are also those who have ideas with desire to write and just keep honing their skills.   However, as gifted as some may be, without discipline, writing usually will not not get done. It is my opinion that I fall into the later category and I have allowed the discipline for developing this skill to be replaced by other priorities. Thank you for your grace as I attempt to get going again.

As I pondered these thoughts regarding the written word, thoughts expanded into the words we speak.  We do not have to be gifted speakers to talk; however, to do it well takes effort. To speaking the truth in love might be the hardest discipline for most of us.

An individual could be the wisest, most knowledgeable person around. However, if they are attempting to connect with others they must develop some relational skills to accompany knowledge.  The bible calls this discipline “speaking the truth in love”.  This means we must exercise discernment, empathy, humility, kindness and be peaceable in the character of the Lord God who IS Love.

Of course this can only apply to the children of God, because apart from God, though He loves us, His love is not within us.  Also, without God we do not have His peace, nor the help of His Spirit within us to depend upon.  It is no wonder there are such relational problems and devastation going on around us.  And this is what led me to thinking about how we speak / relate to each other and it being the hardest discipline – in my opinion.

Think about the difference between worldly self-control (controlling ourselves and others to get our desired outcome) and the fruit of the Spirit self-control (controlling ourselves, being obedient to His Ways, through dependency on God and faith in His will for us all). If we join in the work the Father is doing within us, through His Spirit, instead of grieving the Spirit, everyone around us is touched by His power.  No doubt, this is the reason we are constantly being challenged in this area; as well as being the challenger at times. How often are we tempted to do the fleshly / emotional thing, throwing love and, dare I say, even total truth out the window.

We know that God does not spin out of control, nor is He caught off guard.  Instead He uses what is “intended” for evil, for good. God uses opportunities such as these to test us, grow us and if we persevere, as James says, we will be more mature. The end result will be the growth of the fruit of the Spirit to the Glory of God – these thoughts fills me with great joy; how about you?

All this being said, it is not easy to pause when being emotionally challenged; becoming passive is not the goal either. We should aspire to be active in prayer – asking God to work in the silence, the space between and within us and others.  When we do speak, that it is beneficial (truth without drama), and it is His character which carries the truth into the presence of others.  

Beyond these moments we must keep our peace and leave matters between others and their m/Master. Trust that God is so much larger and present than the temporary afflictions we face.  While some problems are truly enormous that we are going through, most of the problems pressing our buttons are the small things; the things we choose not to navigate with an attitude of forgiveness – even if we cannot be in a fruitful relationship with the person (we will dive into this on another day). God is not allowing others to be in control of His will; we should not either.  We can be a child of God with the character of God, no matter who is pushing our buttons.

So today, it is my prayer for us all, that when pressed - we will allow their pressure to be a release button and begin to live liberated in Christ Jesus, our Lord – To Him be all the Glory now and forevermore.

Kisses,

Candace

Scriptures to meditate on – please share any others and your thoughts, experiences etc.

·         Book of James - specific verses of note: 1: 2-4, 12- 14,  4:8,  6: 18-21

·         1 John  - 3:7, 4:8

·         1 Corinthians – 9:23-27, chapter 13

·         2 Corinthians – 3:17,18, chapter 4