God…what do you want from me! What is your will for my life?
You ever find yourself frustrated or upset with something and screaming that at God.
I don’t usually toss out scripture, only because I reference and enforce policy for a living, so it gets a little annoying, but this one has always bothered me.
It took me a while to get it. I had to renew my mind. (still a work in process)
But – this verse isn’t about the power of positive thinking. It’s the power of Christ in your heart.
“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances, this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
Uhhh, wait. I’m sorry. You, you…want me to do what?
You do know that I have neighbors, friends, loved ones and co-workers with COVID? Right?
***Yes.
You know that we’re not going to see family this thanksgiving right?***Yes
Okay, like…you know this is a single income house right now?***Yes
Okay, you know that just because we have a new president that don’t mean shit. We’re still black and brown in America. Like…we have to work with these people.
***Yes
Okay, you know that-
***I know all these things.
But you want me to rejoice and pray. For what? What am I rejoicing for? ***Because of what you have. Not what you have not.***
***Speak life unto your neighbors. Love them. Pray for them. Ask what you can do for them to lessen their burden.
***There are other ways to see. You just won’t be.
***Don’t be slave to the lender.
***Be kind to those who need favor, those that don’t like you. It’s like throwing hot coals on their head. Their hearts will soften, or they will burn in hell.
Friends, life and death is in the power of the tongue. And if your mouth speaks the condition of your heart. What is your heart saying?
–Did we catch that?
–We can be mad, upset, frustrated, angry. We can be happy, cheerful, glad, excited.
All those are emotions. We can’t be happy and mad at the same time because those two emotions can’t occupy the same space – us, you, me.
But we can have joy, despite anger or happiness. Joy is a condition of the heart. And that’s what allows us to rejoice always, pray continually, and give thanks in all circumstances.
…just an example of God’s will for us in Christ Jesus.
Stay blessed, stay woke, stay tuned