Tuesday, November 15, 2016
TODAY'S SCRIPTURE
"So stop telling lies. Let us tell our neighbors the truth, for we are all parts of the same body." (Ephesians 4:25 NLT)
THOUGHTS FOR TODAY
The powerful emotions of fear and anger can cause us problems, especially when we hide them behind a wall of defenses and allow them to grow out of control. To remove one brick at a time from the wall of our defenses, it is important to do something called leveling.
Leveling with others about our feelings is openly admitting them. We level when we risk others seeing the "real us" when we share our feelings. For example, we level when we tell someone we are hurt . . . or afraid . . . or angry. Our personal goal should be to replace isolation with sharing.
CONSIDER THIS . . .
With God
“Two men went to the Temple to pray. One was a Pharisee, and the other was a despised tax collector. The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed this prayer: ‘I thank you, God, that I am not like other people—cheaters, sinners, adulterers. I’m certainly not like that tax collector! I fast twice a week, and I give you a tenth of my income.’
“But the tax collector stood at a distance and dared not even lift his eyes to heaven as he prayed. Instead, he beat his chest in sorrow, saying, ‘O God, be merciful to me, for I am a sinner.’ I tell you, this sinner, not the Pharisee, returned home justified before God. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” (Luke 18:10-14 NLT)
With Self
Because of the privilege and authority God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us. (Romans 12:3 NLT)
With Others
Then David confessed to Nathan, “I have sinned against the Lord.” Nathan replied, “Yes, but the Lord has forgiven you, and you won’t die for this sin." (2 Samuel 12:13 NLT)
Ask God to give you insight into any anger you have bottled up inside, any fears you are hiding, or any signs of isolation in your life. Ask him to help you begin to level.
PRAYER
Lord, help me see myself through your eyes. Help me to admit any anger or fears I am hiding and to see if I am isolating myself from you and others. In Jesus' name . . .
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THESE THOUGHTS WERE DRAWN FROM . . .
This study deals with depression, a condition common throughout the world, and is suggested for use in support groups and Christian counseling.
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