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Jun. 2, 2006
More Than Proverbs 31
Bless those who persecute you;
Bless and do not curse.
Repay no one evil for evil.
Beloved do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, "Vengeance is Mine , I will repay," says the Lord.
Therefore
"If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink;
For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head."
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
...and on her tongue is the law of kindness.
Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.
Do not fret because of evil doers...
Cease from anger, and forsake wrath;
Do not fret, it only causes harm.
Do not let your adornment be merely outward- arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel-
rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God.
Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him.
Oh Lord,
So many days I strive to be like the Proverbs 31 woman. It's easy to want to be like her. She's strong, noble, talented, loved and appreciated by her children and husband.
Not all verses are so easy to follow, or even desireable Lord, especially when my flesh is warring with my spirit.
I spend so much time Lord trying to do as she would do in the caring of my family. Often I falter. I falter because I don't spend enough time considering and applying many other examples of wisdom and holiness that are written throughout your Word.
When I feel unappreciated, slighted, taken for granted, hurt, or even unloved, I'm too quick to speak and act impulsivly with words and actions that I think will protect, and defend myself.
I take my pain, hurt and frustrations and create more pain, hurt and frustrations by giving those same feelings back to the one/s whom I am angry with. Sometimes it's my children Lord, or my husband.
I know the answers aren't on the popular television or radio shows. Nor in the trendy woman's magazines. Their words satisfy my flesh, they justify my feelings of being wronged, and they tell me how I can go about gaining the "power" to better my situation, and set the people in my life "straight". But those words are contrary to Your Word, and to my spirit. How I am to be is written throughout scripture. I fall so short Father. I want to have a heart like Your's. I want to have a heart full of compassion for those who hurt or dissapoint me. I don't want to repay unkindness with unkindness, or hateful words, with hateful words. I don't want to do, if only I'm done for.
I want to be like you;
Quick to forgive. Full of mercy, grace, compassion and kindness. I don't need to protect myself. I just need to obey You. And You will take care of me. I don't need to defend myself. I only need to love.
Playing games of "fairness" Lord with people is tiring. " I'll scratch your back if you scratch mine", " love me, I'll love you," "be good to me, I'll be good to you"... it's hard keeping up with who owes you what, and being their conscience and reminding them that they are falling short, then tell them how they need to go about doing it right, and when they don't, I have to withdraw my friendship, my time, or committment because the score is uneven and their not being "fair" to me.
I want to be done with that kind of living. It's a horrible way to live. It' s a horrible way to love. Its results are perpetual dissapointment, perpetual broken relationships, and it perpetually keeps me thinking about ME.
Pour your love thru me, to those you've put in my path. Whether friend or foe.
I trust you Lord to watch my back, so I don't have too.
Forgive me, for repeatedly taking back the reins of comfort, protection, and provision, and control, because I think I need to take care of myself, because I'm not trusting that You are. I am wrong when I do that.
My job here is to love, not be loved, or even liked. Help me get my focus off of me. Keep it only on You, and the precious souls, and hearts of those you came to love and die for too.
I don't want to be a Joan of Arc, or a martyr...
I just want to be a heartbeat of Christ.
You gave me a life Lord to do something with. Not for me, but for You. Your purpose, Your glory.
Forgive me, and help me.
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Jun. 2, 2006 - Untitled Comment