My Response Matters

Have you ever been hurt, angry, fearful, rejected, or disappointed? Most of the time we focus on the emotions versus the will of the Lord.

Your response is what really matters to the Father. I am not saying the other person is not accountable for their actions but your heart position before God is determined by your response to them.  1 Corinthians 13:11 reminds us "When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I responded like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me." This is an awesome scripture because it follows Paul telling us how to love. We say we love people all the time but in our immaturity we really fail the love test most of the time.

Some of the greatest blessings from God are the relationships He allows us to have. Many times the relationships closest to us are challenged by trials and tribulations. Of course this is obvious to some. A stranger can not hurt you like your spouse or children nor disappoint you like a friend. The truth is as long you are in relationships with humans, you will experience hurt, anger, fear, rejection, disappointment and much more.

The question is not who hurt you or what they did, it is more about how you react when it happens. As we grow, these are some suggestions:

1- Slow your roll
James 1:19-20 "Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God."

2-Watch your words
Ephesians 2:29 "Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear."

3- Speak Truth in Love
Zechariah 8:16 "These are the things that you shall do: Speak the truth to one another; render in your gates judgments that are true and make for peace;

4- Protect your heart 
Zechariah 8:17 ^"do not devise evil in your hearts against one another, and love no false oath, for all these things I hate, declares the Lord.”

Proverbs 4:23 "Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life"

5- Get it right the same day
Ephesians 4:26 "Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger,"

Some relationships are for a season but anger (a.k.a. offense) should not be the reason a relationship ends. In all times seek peace and it's okay to agree to disagree. Remember, it does not make someone your enemy because you have different views. Even when someone is your enemy the word of God is very clear. Do not repay evil with evil.

Romans 12:16- 21 "Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good."

Guard your heart! Your response matters!