We are not haplessly at the mercy of our emotions or our circumstances. We have choices. Responses driven by our feelings can be dangerous. Those feelings may be true but they are not truth.
\nWe have been given the power of the Holy Spirit to give us the strength to do what we do not have the strength to do on our own.<\/p>\n
The Spirit can enable you to make these choices:<\/p>\n
1. You can choose to grow through criticism.<\/strong> 2. You can choose to be happy in the place God plants your life.<\/strong> 3. You can choose to continue to love unlovable people.<\/strong> \u201cIf all you do is love the lovable, do you expect a bonus? Anybody can do that.\u201d<\/p>\n 4. You can choose to stay vulnerable even when betrayed.<\/strong> 5. You can choose to trust God when you feel He is out of sight.<\/strong>
\nCriticism stings. And it is unavoidable. We can demonize our critics. Dismiss the message along with the kernel of truth we may need in that message. OR. We can see it as a tool to transform us. If God allows it He desires to use it for our good.<\/p>\n
\nWe may not like where our lives have been planted. And it truly may have unlikeable features. What to do? Until we are replanted elsewhere we redirect our hearts. Focus on the strengths of your location. Work to involve yourself in the people and place around you. Caution: We telegraph our unhappiness to those around us and discourage our husbands.<\/p>\n
\nSome people are hard to love. They may have wounded us, or our church or have lived a destructive lifestyle. They may be difficult or constant troublemaker. We need to surprise them with consistent love. It is the right choice because it is Christlike. Here is a reminder from Mark 5:46, the plain vernacular of The Message lands a direct hit on this issue:<\/p>\n
\nVulnerability is taking a risk for a greater good. The greater good may be to allow you authentic community. You exposed yourself and allowed others in. Then they turned around and exposed you. Epic hurt at this point. \u201cI\u2019ll NEVER do that again\u201d is one option. Often ministry wives retreat permanently. The risk is real but the greater good is worth the risk. Choose vulnerability.<\/p>\n
\nLife on this planet will include moments when God seems out of sight. He has gone silent, unclear or allowed the unwanted. We just sang this recently: \u201cWhen darkness seems to hide His face. I rest on His unchanging grace.\u201d Good circumstances can prop up our faith. When those good circumstances are removed we are reminded of what the essence of faith truly is: \u201cWe walk by faith and not by sight.\u201d<\/p>\n