Psalm 37:8 Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret–it leads only to evil.
Psalm 90:10-11 For forty years I was angry with that generation; I said, ‘They are a people whose hearts go astray, and they have not known my ways.’So I declared on an oath in my anger, ‘They shall never enter my rest.'”
Proverbs 14:17, 29 A quick tempered person does foolish things, and the one who devises evil schemes is hated. . . .Whoever is patient has great understanding, but one who is quick-tempered displays folly.
Psalm 37:8 Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath! Fret not yourself; it tends only to evil.
Proverbs 15:1 A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
Proverbs 22:24-25 Make no friendship with a man given to anger, nor go with a wrathful man, lest you learn his ways and entangle yourself in a snare.
Matthew 5:21-26 “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.’ But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable for judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire.
Ephesians 4:26 Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger
James 1:19-20 Know this, my beloved brothers; let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.
We all feel anger at times. Maybe you are stuck in traffic and it will make you late for an appointment–and if you are later than the 15 minute window–‘ah, too bad, we will not be able to see you–and you will be charged for the missed appointment.’ Or maybe the children are screeching in voices that seem impossible to reach such a high pitched scream. There must be murder, there has to be injury–severe injury. But, no when you look in on them–there is no injury, just several children trying to see who can squark the loudest and get some adult to come running in a panic. And then the giggles between them. Or, someone lies to you and you already know the truth. Or all sorts of things happen to prevent arriving at work on time–a flat tire–how do you change that in your dress suit and still look good for court? Or the car won’t start at all–what is going on? There are so many reasons to cause anger–and many are different for each person. I am not happy with taking many “illegal aliens” and jailing them far away from their families–rounded up like a cattle drive. Then, many are innocent–not causing trouble or or doing illegal activites. Have all been innocent? No. But I must say that many of the foreign people I have dealt with either in work that I needed completed, but have dealt with hard-workers–people who do a good, conscientious work in which I have been very pleased. These people have always been polite, respectful, and courteous. They might not be able to speak English, but someone in the group can speak and then translate directions to the one who is not proficient in English. I find it shaming.
My relatives came here from Ireland–hard workers and here to seek a better future. There had been many times in Irish history when people were starving, eating and digging potatoes only. Potatoes are carbs, not protein, so one loses weight, strength and health. I have no problem with folks coming to this country to work hard, to better themselves and their families. I do have a problem with rounding them up like cattle, and throwing them in buses, and hauling them away–especially with men wearing black masks, carrying weapons and being like bullies. Makes me wonder how their home life is. Do you slap and punch out at wife and children? Do they cringe away from y9ou? Do they creep around their home because they are unsure and afraid?
A simple shepherd who had been raised in a palace, fled when an Israelite challenged him and proved to Moses he had seen Moses strike and kill an Egyptian. God led him into the desert and he worked with his father in law, tending the sheep, spending most of his time alone, sleeping under the stars and weather at night, having mostly sheep for company. Yet one day, God appeared to him and told him to go to the Egyptian pharaoh–unsure if this pharaoh had Moses were raised as “cousins” or playmates but they at least had to be aware of one another. Moses clearly told God all the reasons he was the wrong man for the job–speech impediment, Pharaoh already did not like him, he had no powers, and he was just unqualified to do this task.
Then God delivered Moses’ brother Aaron and said Aaron could be his mouthpiece–they were both going. His people needed to be freed from Egypt. After several weeks at least–bible not clear of the length of time Moses stated what he wanted to happen so the people could sacrifice to God, and each time Pharaoh refused. So God told Moses the plagues He would send and the Egyptians suffered. Finally and lastly, God saved the Israeli people on the first Passover, yet every Egyptian family lost the firstborn–including all the animals.
Over a million Israelis fled Egypt–unsure how one flees with that many people–including elderly and young, and much cattle, sheep, goats and so forth. After they crossed the Red Sea, and traveled three days, they were all becoming thirsty. Finding water in Marah, they found the water too bitter to drink. God told Moses how to make the water fresh and the people and herds were all satisfied.
Moses had to deal with a multitude who were fearful, sometimes angry, wondering when their travels would end, sometimes challenging why Moses and Aaron got to make most of the decisions–even though Moses gave them the decisions and outcomes that GOD had set before them. The people whined and demanded meat and wanted something to cook to make bread/cakes. God supplied them with birds and manna.
Moses sent out 12 men, one from each tribe of Judah to see for themselves the wonderful land the LORD was giving to them. Two of the men returned positive and enthusiastic, the other ten returned enthusiastic about what they had seen in the land–but fearful of the people they saw living there. Those ten convinced the entire group they should not go and try to overtake it. Their shorter journey could have lasted a few weeks–I find that a little concerning as they had huge herds and many people, over one million with young children, possessions and so forth to move. Definitely NO small feat. But because they whined, doubted, were fearful and mistrustful and finally challenged Moses’ authority, God punished them.
Fear and anger can frequently go hand in hand. Anger builds when we or our family is threatened. These people living in the desert with nothing that felt familiar, traveling to who- knew-where, and seeing no end in sight, let fear, doubt, and uncertainty lead to anger and striking out. God’s consequence to the Israelis who fearfully decidied to not go into the Promised Land because of the ‘giants’ then never saw and stepped foot into the land.
When they cried about thirst and needing water again at Meribah, God told Moses to strike a rock with his staff. In his anger, Moses said, “Hear now, you rebels, shall we bring water for you out of this rock?” and Moses lifted up his hand and struck the rock with his staff twice and water came out abundantly. (Exodus 17:10-11) The water gushed from the rock; but in his anger at these people he had led for forty years, Moses struck the rock twice. And God then said that Moses would not be allowed to enter the Promised Land. He got see the land from mountain tops, but was not able to enter it. Anger and how it is expressed can be costly. After so many years, definitely more than 40 of following God, doing His will to the best of his ability, one flash of anger caused his the privelege of putting his feet onto the Promised Land. A seriously high price to pay
We can damage property, frighten our families, cause mistrust and uneasiness with family, neighbors, associates. We one most of us can cause breaches in friendships and family that cannot be easily repaired and made right. Anger has consequences and unresolved can affect you deeply–including even your health. It can cause others to not be comfortable around you, always slightly uneasy that you will let loose with temper either verbally or physically.
The above verses show us how to learn to manage temper. It is a process, but one most of us should try, with the Holy Spirit’s help, to curb and diminish.
Lord, you know I am NOT there yet. I still have areas that cause me anger. But I am thankful I have the steps and the help of the Holy Spirit to help me override it. I am so thankful for all You have done for me and ‘mybellaviews.’
1 Chronicles 16:34 Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.
Psalm 9:1 I will praise you, LORD, with all my heart; I will tell of all the marvelous things you have done.
Psalm 30:11-12 You have turned my mourning into joyful dancing. You have taken away my clothes of mourning and clothed me with joy
Psalm 69:30 I will praise God’s name with singing, and I will honor him with thanksgiving.
Psalm 100:1-5 Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth! Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into his presence with singing!
Psalm 118:1, 24, 28 Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever! Let Israel say, “His steadfast love endures forever,” (24) This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. (28) You are my God, and I will give thanks to you; you are my God; I will extol you. Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever.
Habbakuk 3:17-18 Though the fig tree does not bud…yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior
John 15:16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit
Ephesians 1:4-5 …even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him in love, having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will,
Philippians 4:4 Rejoice in the LORD always; again I will say, rejoice.
Colossians 3:15, 17 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts…And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
1 Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
We are His chosen people and should be thankful for just that–never mind the other wonderful blessings!
I am so blessed in my life. I had wonderful parents and grandparents. My parents had learned when my father was 25, newly out of the military, and had a two year old and an infant that he had severe asthma, and would have to live on steroids for the rest of his life in order to be able to work and live a somewhat normal live, although shortened. Steroids are a wonderful medication for acute conditions or inflammation problems, cellulitis or other infectious process such as poison ivy, breathing issues, asthma, arthritis and several other acute illnesses. But, as steroids were fairly new in the 1950’s, it was known that long term usage would shorten a person’s life. My parents made the decision to have him take the lowest dosage of prednisone that could manage his asthmatic condition.
Because of his breathing issues being worse when he first got up in the mornings, he worked 3-11 PM, so we saw him mostly on weekends or when we were off from school, we would see him in the mornings when he would raise. But the steroids allowed him to be able to work and support his family.
My mother was a nurse and worked from 6 AM-about 4 PM as she was the nurse for the hospital employees and the students. She wanted to be available for all employees, so she was there for the early needs of day shift workers, including late shift for days, early for 3-11 shift, and to still be available for any needs of employees who worked 11-7 AM. So we were blessed to have our maternal grandmother living with us. She would get us up in the mornings, see us off to school, and was in charge of cooking dinner for my father before he would leave for work. Usually he would go to the hospital to see my mother for a short time before he would head to his workplace. Gram was also there when we returned from school–offering snacks, asking about homework; even though when my mother got home, she would ask about homework also.
My father would call every evening at about 5 PM, and again about 9 PM. It was very obvious to us kids what a good marriage looked like. They were always in one another’s corner. I don’t ever remember hearing a harsh word, certainly never an argument. On weekends, he would frequently go into the kitchen when she was cooking supper, and pat her butt and kiss her cheek or neck, and just show affection. Not knowing any different, it was a surprise when one of my friends would see the affection and make a comment like, “/wow, your parents act like they are on a honeymoon. Do they always do that?”
We learned the value and importance of hard work–budgeting, paying bills, and dealing with illness. We also saw how to handle illness stoically; he was not a complainer. and if we were home ill from school, he would always make us an egg nog, an ice cream frappe or some other treat. He, too, was a great caretaker. We always knew that he was going to have a shortened life span. For me, I was always conscious to not show or speak of temper when being a bratty child-teen. I was not so caring about being fresh-mouthed with my mother or grandmother. But at times, we had some anxious moments when Dad was not up and about at his normal rising time. . . .
We were blessed to have those ancestors to show us how to live as loving, hard working, responsible adults. We grew up with a set of loving parents and knew the grandparents were also a loving team.
My first marriage was nothing like my parents’ marriage. And then, God gave me the opportunity to be married to a good man, who had two children in their teens when we met; and after a short time–only a week–we decided to marry, and blend his two children and my biological son. The three kids were spread out over a two year period, and they were teens. That was a potential for problems. I prayed daily–at that time asking for signs/fleeces since I clutched the story about Gideon before I was in a church that showed me MORE. EVERY day, God gave me a sign. There was a raccoon that trotted through our neighborhood everyday–no signs of danger, just trotting through, and animals always touch a tender chord in my heart. I also had a praying mantis around my front door everyday; and this was during the late Fall and early winter, not the time a praying mantis was still living in the span of its life. It was not always located in the same position by the door, but could easily be found. Each time, I could smile and thank God–it seemed He reassured me everyday. Afterall, we had decided to marry after only one week.
The marriage meant that my son–who had always been raised in the same town, and now we would be moving to Germany–big changes for each of these teens, ages 12, 13, and 14. I needed the reassurance regularly. I DID NOT want to make a mistake which could hurt any of us; I needed the reassurance of God giving me a sign. And He freely gave me signs daily.
It was wonderful living in Germany, I traveled to other countries and got to appreciate the different cultures which were located so close together. It was amazing. I had opportunity and blessing to learn and see many different countries. And was amazed, as I thought wherever I was, it was a wonderful beautiful area; but I have learned sky, oceans, seas, lakes, mountains were beautiful in many other countries; it is not just beautiful in our own country. God created an awesome Earth! It was kind of a surprise to see the beauty of countries I had known in news stories as being in war–Vietnam, Croatia, Romania and thought those countries must not be lovely. My error. God has created beauty everywhere. Even though I have not been to every country, pictures have shown me, that most countries have beauty to share. God is a wonderful and artistic Creator.
“Son of God became a man to enable men to become sons of God.” C.S. Lewis
I am writing this the second weekend in May and had the pleasure of taking pictures from the back of my house overlooking the Sound as the sun went down.
Thank You for choosing me and giving me such loving persons in my life–ancestors, friends and so forth. I am so very thankful that you chose me before the world was created. Praises always for what you have done for me and ‘mybellaviews.’
Psalm 32:8 I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye.
Isaiah 54:10 ” . . . For the mountains shall depart and the hills be removed, but My kindness shall not depart from you, nor shall My covenant of peace be removed.” says the LORD, who has mercy on you.
Jeremiah 29:11-13 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.9:11-13
Jeremiah 31:3 The LORD has appeared to me, saying: “Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you. . .
Matthew 6:27 Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?
John 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
Romans 5:8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Romans 8:18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.
Ephesians 2:10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
1 John 4:18-19 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. We love Him because He first loved us.
We all deal with different things that threaten our comfort, make us anxious. It may be an illness or a potential diagnosis that needs further follow-up, a sudden accident where someone is seriously hurt, maybe with a life threatening diagnosis, or at least a severe life altering trauma–severe head or spine injury, an amputation of a limb. Or it may not be an accident, but perhaps a child or sibling we love grabbed, kidnapped and maybe forced into sexual slavery. There could be illnesses and dependent needs in a parent or both parents. Sometimes there are financial issues that have suddenly come about and have caused a feeling of severe threat.
Any kind of serious change to our status and norm causes some kind of anxiety–may be a positive anxiety–a reward, an unexpected gift, a much deserved acknowledgment, a child gets a desired part in a play, or a sport position, etc. Our first thoughts tend to be of negative stresses, but even positive changes can add anxiety to our normal routine, and increase our stress. The offer of a new job and an increase in pay can also bring a good reward, yet it may become a large stress–and could be something that becomes a black hole. One could be expected to spend a lot more hours at a thankless, unsatisfactory job, keeping us from family time, spending down time with friends and interfering with church and “God time.”
Generally, we assume anxiety is always caused by bad news. But that is not always true. Some good news can create added stress and pressure to one’s life. It may be the much desired part in a play means your child cannot take the bus home daily because of the need to practice the part–and now requires a ride home. A parent may have to finish a project and is not able to pick the child up as planned at the end of practice, so the child has to wait longer. That could mean hanging out at the school where ‘an acquaintance’ can offer the child a ride–and then never makes it home; or you know that the child will have to spend longer working on homework and studying, and you are feeling the pressure of being responsible for picking up on time, getting your own duties done–and you still have to face something for dinner.
We all face times of frustration, impatience, ‘why, God, why?’ times. But early acknowledgment and recognition of those times coming are a test–how will you deal with this problem today? Will you get grumpy? Will you be frustrated? Will you think it through and do your best to handle each portion of the problem in the best way? Will you acknowledge that God will get you through and all will be okay? First, notify the child, ask family member, neighbor, friend, church member to do the favor of getting your child. Second, can you take the project home and work on it once child has gone to bed? Third, the best take out option for dinner? Or is there a frozen family dinner in the freezer that will work? (And thankfully, you don’t have to use them often? And fourth, is there a niggle of doubt that this job might not be the best fit for you and your family? Is there another direction God has?
Seek God and He will send you an answer and reassurance about a new position or what He feels is best for you and your family. We need to remember that He wants the best for us. That does NOT mean always a smooth sail, but it does mean He is with us and will help us, comfort us, show us the best alternatives, and remind us of how much He loves us.
God does test us, and sometimes allows Satan to take aim and cause havoc. But we must always remember God is in charge, He loves us, and He has a good plan for each of us–even when we are sometimes going through catastrophic episodes. He has a purpose, a plan for our life, and we need to remember throughout how generous, giving, and full of mercy He has been throughout. No matter what, cling to God. He has a plan, He loves you, and your suffering may just be the shining glory of Him that another sees.
But fear, anxiety are Satan’s enticing tools for you to doubt God, to take an easy fix that sounds good yet may not be the best for you or your family. Satan wants you to FAIL. He has no love, is ruthless in his desire to ruin and hurt others and pulls them away from God’s love, grace, and mercy through his lies, deception, stealing, and frequent reminders of you walking in this thick mire alone, with no hope, and nothing positive to expect.
That kind of fear is an unbelief of God–not fully doubting God, but enough that you hear Satan’s whispery lies that you are not worth of God’s love, so He certainly won’t be giving you a positive outcome in whatever situation you are facing. Those are LIES by the sneaky, devious SATAN. Do not listen. Remind yourself of the verses you KNOW that protect you when these lies sneak through. Jeremiah 29:11, Ephesians 2:10.
God’s love is so much deeper, unconditional than ours. Long before we were born, He created us with faults, limitations, sins, and knew who and how we would grow. That is so awesome and something I cannot totally fathom. But am thankful for! But God’s love gives us promises of strength, not being alone–even though at times we may feel totally alone–and knowing Him, and knowing HIs promises reminds us He is with us in our fear. His love was sacrificial as He willingly followed HIs Father’s edict to die on the cross after suffering abuse, humiliation, pain, and shame, suffering and giving His life, so I could have eternity with Him. His love is totally about us, wanting the best for us, wiling to die for us, to be the sacrifice for MY selfish sins, and His love is everlasting and unconditional. Wow.
Lord, my God, You have shown me repeatedly Your love, Grace and Mercy toward me–when I know I have messed up so often. And still, Your unconditional love holds. So even when I become fearful with whatever issues have reared an ugly head, I can calm myself knowing You are there, You want the best for me, and somehow (although I can see no possibility of an issue being positively redeemed–You redeem it!) And I get to brag about Your glory, Your means of fixing an issue I thought was a huge hole to climb out. Thank You for choosing me, for loving and guiding me, and for being so gracious to me and ‘mybellaviews.’
Deuteronomy 8:2 Remember how the LORD your God led you all the way in the wilderness these forty years, to humble and test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands.
Psalm 26:2 Prove me, O LORD, an say, “But we knew nothing about this,” does he not pd try me, test my heart and my mind.
Psalm 139:23-24 Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.
Proverbs 16:2 All a person’s ways seem pure to them, but motives are weighed by the LORD.
Proverbs 17:3 The crucible is for silve, and the furnace for gold, and the LORD tests hearts.
Proverbs 21:2 A person may think their own ways are right, but the LORD weighs the heart.
Jeremiah 17:10 I the LORD search the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways.
John 16:8 “When he comes, he will prove the world to be in the wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment:”
Luke 16:15 And he said to them, “You are those who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts. For what is exalted among men is an abomination in the sight of God
Acts 7:51 “You stiff-necked people! Your hearts and ears are still uncircumcised. You are just like your ancestors; You always resist the Holy Spirit!
Romans 8:26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.
1 Corinthians 4:5 Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait until the LORD comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of the heart. At that time each will receive their praise from God.
1 Thessalonians 2:4 But just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts.
2 Timothy 1:14 By the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, guard the good deposit entrusted to you.
Revelations 2:23 I will strike her children dead. Then all the churches will know that I am he who searches hearts and minds, and I will repay each of you according to your deeds.
How humble do we think we are? Sometimes, I think we are so arrogant, and as judgmental as the Pharisees. So many of them felt they obeyed ALL the Laws God had set forth for Moses on two tablets of stone. And over the years, some of the priests had added to those rules–they were not originally set out by God. It was the righteous priests who got big hunks of whatever meat was being sacrifice, got free land within each of the 12 territories, and they had the chosen privelege of being closer to God as the Levite family had been chosen to be His priests. Only priests could offer sacrifices, only priests and their families could care for the tent of meeting and once in the Promised Land, serve in the temple. They had holy and designated clothing and God had chosen them to have the special privelege of checking on diseases–is this leprous or just a rash? They were elevated to the other Israelites, looked on with respect–which many of them craved and added to their arrogance.
As they grew in their roles as priests, they developed more and more commands that the Israelites had to follow. I do not know exactly how many, but have heard a couple times there were more than 600 by the time Jesus was teaching and leading.
Most of the priests had elevated themselves and did not consider themselves low enough to help others. It was two religious men who passed a beaten, naked man, in fact crossing the street–and did not even pause to see if he was alive and perhaps when they got to a village, could send someone to help the fellow. They just passed on by being too important and holy to dirty themselves.
But a Samaritan, part Israeli and part Samarian stopped, treated the man, helped him to his donkey and took him to the nearest inn and then paid for the innkeeper to nurse him for a few days, and if the cost was any more than what he left, he would pay that bill. That is love, a serving heart, a heart after God’s own design.
To find your true motives and leanings, God tests your heart. He may put temptations in your path–new job but lot more hours and stress and being away from family vs keeping your job which allows time with family, spending daily time with God, and less stress. He has provided enough. Or it may be you see new clothing and truly wish to have it–but know your finances are very tight this week. What does the Holy Spirit’s guidance say? Do you listen? For me, I should NOT even try on the clothing–it already increases my own desire and works against my better judgment. And I do not NEED it–it is a desire, not a NEED.
How do you react when someone a cashier, wait staff, or just someone you pass and treats you rudely? Are you rude back? Do you think nasty thoughts? Do you smile and say something like you recognize they may be having a rough day, and tell them you will pray for them? There are bunches of ways to handle the situation and allay some of the bitterness and anger from the other. And hopefully, they will receive the message with love, and it will help diffuse their hurt/anger/ arrogance.
What about when you hear some gossip? Do you pass it one–as James says the tongue is like a flame and can start a huge fire. Gossip can explode situations–make them bigger than they actually are, and certainly always hurts the person the “juice” is discussing. It is hurtful. I do try to keep things to people who will keep their mouths shut and just pray for the issues I come across. This is not a perfect area for me, but I do try.
God wants to see if we have a hardness, arrogance, self righteousness in our hearts and actions. If so, that is one of the things the Holy Spirit tries to guide us from. We read the Bible and learn who our blessed Savior was, how treated all people, and how He died for us–and all our scummy sins, and the bad things, the sinful things are sanded and culled away. It is NOT an overnight process, although I certainly wish I was better than I am. But it is a process, a lifetime of discovering you are not as loving and good as you think, and with the help of the Holy Spirit and the examples of Jesus, get those putrid areas cut out.
Lord, I thank You that You and the Holy Apirit walk and guide me to cutting and sanding away all the areas that are rough and disappointing. You have always been there to watch over me and ‘mybellaviews.’
Deuteronomy 6:24-25 The LORD commanded us to obey all these decrees and to fear the LORD our God, so that we might always proper and be kept alive, as is the case today. And if we are careful to obey all this law before the LORD our God, as he has commanded us, that will be our righteousness
Deuteronomy 10:12-14 And now, Israel, what does the LORD your God ask of you but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in obedience to him, to love him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to observe the LORD’s commands and decrees that I am giving you today for your own good.
Deuteronomy 11:1 Love the LORD your God and keep his decrees, his laws, and his commands always.
1 Samuel 16:7 The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.
1 Kings 11:6, 9-13 So Solomon did evil in the eyes of the LORD; he did not follow the LORD completely, as David his father had done. . . .The LORD became angry with Solomon because his heart had turned away from the LORD, the God of Israel, who had appeared to him twice. Although he had forbidden Solomon to follow other gods, Solomon did not keep the LORD’s command. So the LORD said to Solomon, :Since this is your attitude and you have not kept my covenant and my decrees, which I commanded you, I will most certainly tear the kingdom away from you and give it to one of your subordinates. Nevertheless, for the sake of David your father, I will not do it during your lifetime. I will tear it out of the hand of your son. Yet I not tear the whole kingdom from him, but will give him one trible for the sake of David my servant and for the sake of Jerusalem, which I have chosen.
1 Chronicles 29:17 I know, my God, that you test the heart and are pleased with integrity.
Psalm 51:10 Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Psalm 119:2 Blessed are those who keep his statutes and seek him with all their heart
Ezekiel 36:26 I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.
Mark 12:30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.
John 13:35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.
John 14:15 If you love me you will keep my commandments
Acts 5:29 But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men.”
Romans 12:2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.
2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come; the old has gone!
Philippians 1:6 Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completions.
1 John 5:3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome.
It used to break my heart when I was disobedient–even if not discovered, I felt bad, shame, and did not want my parents hurt by my disobedience and lack of trust and honor. And certainly, there was a portion that prayed that I would NOT be discovered for disobeying, and the wrong could somehow be swept away and I could be in the clear. That does NOT mean I did not suffer the guilt. I tried all sorts of reassurances–“Everyone else was doing it.” “I was good most of the time.” “I did all my chores when asked” (not always with a good attitude and heart), “I always try to do my best in school and stuff, I should be able to have this, do that….whatever those were. . . ” But again, even if my wrong was not discovered, I suffered. I was edgy, did not sleep well, grumpy with siblings, extra quiet at supper when it was family meal time. I hated those feelings.
Did they stop me from doing something I wanted even when told no before hand? Certainly, not always. Did it stop me from not wearing my brand new favorite shoes that were purchased for Easter and I was told to save them? No. I was told I was too young to wear nylons to school, stick with knee socks and old clunky shoes. No. So I went to a friend’s house, took the knee socks off, shoved them and the clunky shoes in my book bag, put on the nylons and my new princess shoes and off I went. About 2 PM that day, it started snowing, and the buses arrived early–no time to change out of the things I was not to be wearing. Probably no big deal. Our grandmother lived with us and was always doing some chore and she probably would not even notice me. My bus stop was about 20 minutes from the school and really, how much could it snow in 20 minutes? But I had a mile to walk to get to the end of the street. By the time I made it two houses, I feared my shoes would be ruined. Off came the shoes and into the book bag, and I continued to walk–without the clunky shoes either since I would have to wear those the next day–and they would still be damp. Everything would be okay. My friends and I picked up our pace and I walked home–just with nylons on my feet.
My grandmother was in the kitchen when I came in the front door–and certainly saw me–and this was the only time I saw her flustered, angry, high-pitched–and I didn’t realize until later, scared fully. She told me to strip off the nylons, and began bringing out plastic basins of cold water. The water certainly did not feel cold, and I fought her a bit. She just continued scolding and hustling about, threatening to tell my mother when she got home. And that added to my unease. A quick glance at the clock showed my mother would be home in 20-30 minutes, and here Gram was muddling about with these silly basins and scolding about frostbite–even though I assured her my feet felt warm.
Anyway, finally, she was able to use warm water and sent me to my room to get into sweats and warm toasty socks, and to “Never, ever do something that stupid again.” She still insisted she was telling my mother. Ah, end of life. I disobeyed, blatantly, I was sneaky, I had probably ruined my new shoes, and being so brazen to disobey, I probably deserved nothing for the rest of my life. I dreaded the confrontation, disappointment on my mother’s face and so on. And it was weird to have seen Gram so rattled. I truly did not realize until later what the fuss had been about as I really did not have a good understanding of frost bite.
But she never told my mother, my shoes were not ruined, and I tried to never do anything so foolish and frightening to them again.
True obedience shows a changed heart, a desire to obey, to want to please God, to be thankful always. He wants us to move from self-centeredness to loving and being generous and patient with others. Although at that time our family attended another church, and rarely heard an explanation of God’s verses, had bible study, and knew that God, His Son, and the Holy Spirit wanted to live within us to guide and help us grow. To me going to church was a rote, robotic almost time–no thinking–stand up, sit down, kneel down at appropriate times. But subconsciously, I wanted to be obedient, to know more and yet did not find that opportunity to learn more until late teens. And then, still without a solid church home, so my growth did not expand that much.
And although relieved Gram never told my mother about my huge disobedience, it stuck with me. There was relief, there was an unlying fear of perhaps perishing in the future for this big sin, and still I harbored shame and guilt. I knew enough from the church my family attended, we were supposed to confess our sins. My issue was confessing–sometimes even making some up–but to tell a imtermediary person did not set well with me. That galled me. Never liked it. Why should we not have access to God if He loved us?
Once we confessed, we believed God forgave. Or did we? My shame and guilt would rear its ugly head–how could I be forgiven for THAT? So although my head would reassure me I was forgiven–the Bible tells me so. But sometimes, that traitorous and doubtful heart would sometimes let Satan in to taunt and shame me again. “How could you be forgiven for doing something like THAT? You should truly feel shame and guilt for doing THAT.” And I could run down that rabbit hole and get all geared and messed up over these sins committed. It took a while to truly believe in His forgiveness. The more I get to know Him, the easier it becomes. What a blessing!
But since it has, I have been nothing but grateful to know more about God, Son and Holy Spirit. I am so thankful He chose me and ‘mybellaviews.’
Hi, I'm Kathy. Welcome to my website!