Weekly Devotional

 

Sometimes we face situations in our lives and we aren’t sure how to handle them.  Maybe we have a misunderstanding with a friend.  Maybe we are pressured in our jobs to do something dishonest.  Sometimes we may have to go to a fellow Christian because she or he is living in sin.  Many times we hesitate to stand up for Christ because we are afraid of the response we will receive.  The outcome we want should always be that God prevails.

 

 We must approach situations very carefully and with much prayer. 

 

1 Corinthians 16:13-14 says, “Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong.  Do everything in love.”

 

We should always examine our motives.  Is our motive self seeking or is our motive to glorify Christ?  The way we handle ourselves in situations shows our hearts to the world and to our fellow Christians.    Do others see us trying to encourage, help and love or in the process of handling a situation do they see us hurting others? 

 

Remember the apostle Paul’s words in Philippians 2: 

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.  Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus.

 

We must be very careful to guard our tongues and to ask ourselves these questions:

 

Is what I am about to do or say going to tear this person down or build this person up?

Am I serving others with my actions or am I serving myself?

Have I prayed with an open heart and open mind or have I prayed, but already have my own plan on how to handle this situation?

 

Proverbs 2:1-6 states,

 

My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding,   and if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God. For the LORD gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.

 

Many times we will fail in handling something exactly the right way.  Sometimes we get angry and are quick to speak or quick to act.  As a result our words or actions hurt others.  When that happens, we must immediately ask forgiveness from the person that we have wronged, listen to God’s Word and change. 

 

When someone hurts us, it is important for us to go to the person and tell her.  Sometimes we may be hurt by another person and she never realizes that she has hurt us.  Should we carry this around with us and burden our heart. No!  Give her a chance to apologize and make it right.  Forgive when someone asks our forgiveness.  After all, we may need forgiveness from someone as well. 

 

Jesus tells us in Matthew 6:14-15, “For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.  But if you do not forgive men their sins, you Father will not forgive your sins.”

 

Christ says that we should be a light.  We must be visibly different than other people in our actions.  We must not choose to handle situations in the way of the world, but in the way of Christ.

Before Jesus was arrested and murdered, he told his disciples , "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."  John 13:34-35

We must have the attitude of Christ in ALL situations.