Life

Blessings, friends.
Last night as my children had a fight that started as an innocent game, I was reminded of many instances in my past when idle chat turned into strife. After the kids lost tv, I was thinking how foolish, or childish, it was. Winning that fight meant nothing and both parties were punished for much longer than the fight lasted. However, if they had apologized without any excuse, they would not have been punished.
So how does this apply to us? Well, I think it applies on several levels.
But first, a scripture… J
24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow me. 25 If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it. 26 And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul? 27 For the Son of Man will come with his angels in the glory of his Father and will judge all people according to their deeds.’

In my life, God has blessed my mind. I retain information very well. He has also given me the ability to relate one thing to another. The problem with that is I’m correct enough of the time that in the flesh, I believe I’m right all the time. J
The flesh either knows it’s right or feels right. If you are less logical and more emotional, your flesh feels right. The flesh demands its own way because it feels right, or knows it’s right. Now with children, the futility is obvious. With us, however, not so much.
If we can stop for a moment and ask two questions, we would be much less likely to sin. ‘what will I gain and lose if I give in?’ and ‘what will I gain and lose if I don’t?’
If you have to be right for your physical safety or well being, then with prayer inside don’t give in. but most of the time, only our self-esteem or our ‘feelings’ are at risk. So what happens if you give in first? You may be a little stifled or even stung in your mind or emotions, but you will have gained a relationship. What is more important? What is it worth to win an argument but lose the relationship, or save yourself but lose your soul (to the sin of strife, in this case)? Jesus says in this scripture to turn from our selfish ways, take up His cross and follow Him. He wants us to follow Him, not necessarily to Africa. Maybe to the kitchen or living room. Maybe to our own humility… But wherever He leads, it’s worth going. For now and forever. Isn’t that ironic? By losing, we win! J
I love you all.
healed by His stripes,
Nancy