- Joined
- Apr 25, 2006
- Messages
- 18,404
Showing grace (2)
'HE GIVES MORE GRACE.' JAMES 4:6
Ever noticed how your family can be the people you struggle most to have grace for? We're approaching Christmas, which is supposed to be a celebration. So we do we feel that our challenge between now and New Year is to just make it through alive? You have to endure the annual polite chat with the old person your parents claim you're related to, who may, if you're nice enough, leave you a wad of cash in the next few years. Then there's mum complaining 'it's her holiday too!' We need loads of grace in Christmas; here are some more hints
a) different viewpoints help you think things through. You may be arguing with someone because they're wrong but have you stopped to consider, just maybe they're right?
b) never resort to making it personal. Disagreeing is one thing, destroying somebody is another. Just because someone is driving you mad or even winning the argument, resorting to verbal abuse might feel natural but it's totally out of order. If you must fight, fight fair
c) when you lose, take it on the chin. Instead of going on about it all the time, 'Help others with encouraging words; don't drag them down by finding fault' (Romans 14:14-19 TM)
d) sometimes you just need to call it a day and walk away. When Paul and Barnabas argued over whether or not John Mark should travel with them, 'There followed a sharp disagreement between them' (Acts 15:39 AMP). End of story? No, just the beginning of two different ministries! So be gracious! What's happening to you right now may well be God's way of moving you into a new area of blessing.
written by Bob Gass
'HE GIVES MORE GRACE.' JAMES 4:6
Ever noticed how your family can be the people you struggle most to have grace for? We're approaching Christmas, which is supposed to be a celebration. So we do we feel that our challenge between now and New Year is to just make it through alive? You have to endure the annual polite chat with the old person your parents claim you're related to, who may, if you're nice enough, leave you a wad of cash in the next few years. Then there's mum complaining 'it's her holiday too!' We need loads of grace in Christmas; here are some more hints
a) different viewpoints help you think things through. You may be arguing with someone because they're wrong but have you stopped to consider, just maybe they're right?
b) never resort to making it personal. Disagreeing is one thing, destroying somebody is another. Just because someone is driving you mad or even winning the argument, resorting to verbal abuse might feel natural but it's totally out of order. If you must fight, fight fair
c) when you lose, take it on the chin. Instead of going on about it all the time, 'Help others with encouraging words; don't drag them down by finding fault' (Romans 14:14-19 TM)
d) sometimes you just need to call it a day and walk away. When Paul and Barnabas argued over whether or not John Mark should travel with them, 'There followed a sharp disagreement between them' (Acts 15:39 AMP). End of story? No, just the beginning of two different ministries! So be gracious! What's happening to you right now may well be God's way of moving you into a new area of blessing.
written by Bob Gass
