From Chaos to Calm: Day Fourteen
Loving Others
Scripture Memory: “As I have loved you, so you also should love one another.” John 13:34
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These days everyone has a “touchy feely” attitude. In other words everyone wants to feel good and not offend anyone. I admit, I have been guilty of it myself! However, I was thinking that this feeling of “everything goes”, “anything is okay”, isn’t the way we as Christian women should live our lives.
Sometimes you just have to say it like it is.
Very few people fail to look out for themselves. Yes, you might not like yourself at times. You may even be going through hard times and feel depressed constantly. You may have been like me – the shy child in school who was always picked on mercilessly. However, once you can come to the place where you know God loves you more than anyone else ever will (I mean really know), you will be okay with yourself! I can remember a time in my life where I was so depressed I even contemplated suicide. It was a horrendous time in my life. I had to learn to forgive myself and accept God’s forgiveness. When I realized that, it was as though the weight of the world was lifted from my shoulders!
The Bible says that we are to die to our selves. We are to not be self serving and self centered. We are instead to serve others. I certainly don’t intend this to offend anyone, but I do believe that having a “woe is me” attitude is self serving. I have been there! When you feel miserable, when you are unhappy or depressed you have an out – a reason why you can’t commit to better things.
It is possible to have a inner joy and peace even in the midst of crisis and turmoil. “Happy is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the LORD his God.” Psalm 146:5 (RSV) “Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation.” Habakkuk 3:18
I am not saying you should never be sad, angry, or unhappy. What I am saying is that even in the middle of tragedy or pain we should rejoice in our Savior. We should be filled with a peace and a joy that is only found through Jesus Christ. If you feel no different than the rest of the world when bad things happen – you need to work on your personal relationship with Christ!
I believe the key to loving our selves is loving others. When you love others – when you serve others – your own heart will open up to receive more of the love of Christ. You will begin to see a transformation in your own spirit and your own outlook on life. Christ came not to be served but to serve others. We are to follow in His footsteps!
Be joyful! Serve your family and your neighbors joyfully. You will feel better about your own self worth!
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From Chaos to Calm: 15 Weeks to a Happy Home is a daily devotion – Monday through Friday for 15 Weeks by Melissa Ringstaff. The Audio Podcast gives you extra ideas to go along with the email series or e-book.
How do you love yourself and love others?
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