What Is the Reward for Turning from a Resentful Attitude?

No emotional cutting edge is sharper than resentment, for it becomes a consuming passion. This truth was acted out by Saul, the king of Israel, as he permitted jealousy to be transformed into resentment. Saul knew God’s prophet Samuel had anointed David to be the next king and that David was also the people’s choice.

Saul could have accepted God’s choice of David to succeed him, for God’s choice is always superior to our own. Jealousy and fear overcame Saul, which prevented him from trusting David as a loyal servant and loving him as God’s choice. Saul preferred resentment rather than trusting God’s choice.

Saul could have chosen to mentor David in statesmanship, but he let resentment cancel that out. Resentment works against believing that God is the source of forgiveness. Remember, peace is God’s reward for letting go of a resentful attitude. God will give you courage and faith to emotionally turn resentment over to him. 

 ___________ 

Dear brothers [and sisters], if a Christian is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help him back onto the right path, remembering that next time it might be one of you who is in the wrong.

~Galatians 6:1 The Living Bible

___________

Subscribe to the Attitudes Answers podcast on your favorite podcast platform to hear this and other 2-minute features 3 days every week.

Conform to What IS Good

Life demands our time, devotion, and conformity. Students who wish to graduate must comply with the requirements of a curriculum. Those who serve in the military have to submit to a code of conduct and conform to a chain of command outlining authority. Employees consent and comply with the norms of company policy.

Do we as people, if given the choice, prefer life’s tasks to be achieved with only minimum effort and energy? It is important to avoid an attitude of nonconformity if being assured of acceptance is the major objective.  While conformity is necessary, it must be for the highest good.

Temptations' agenda is designed to deceive its victims into conforming with what appears good. Galatians 6:1 reminds us to keep a close watch over ourselves to prevent falling into temptation. Remember, no darkness is beyond the cutting-edge power of God's light; no sin is  beyond his deliverance. So, seek him with all your heart.                

___________

As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance.

~1 Peter 1:14 New International Version

 

For from the very beginning God decided that those who came to him – and all along he knew who would – should become like his Son, so that his Son would be the First, with many brothers [and sisters]. And having chosen us, he called us to come to him; and when we came, he declared us “not guilty,” filled us with Christ’s goodness, gave us right standing with himself, and promised us his glory.

~Romans 8:29-30 The Living Bible

___________

Subscribe to the Attitudes Answers podcast on your favorite podcast platform to hear this and other 2-minute features 3 days every week.

Temptations! Fight or Flight

What value is there in fighting temptations that are ever-present? The other option is to be submissive to whatever life presents. Listen to Albert Camus’ rationale: "There are so many strong temptations, why not accept them as virtues." This attitude of nonresistance is dangerous, and the consequences can be devastating.

The cutting edge of temptation does not discriminate between the strong or weak, the deserving or undeserving, but God without fail provides an escape from its power. The apostle Paul gave this warning, "If someone is caught up in temptation, make every effort to rescue them, but keep on guard so that you are not tempted as well."

The value of fighting temptation is so you can keep a clean heart before God instead of guilt and anxiety pressing in on you. Winning the battle to defeat temptation is important because you can sympathize with others struggling to overcome its power. Fighting strengthens your commitment to Christ by building courage to face temptation’s next assault. 

___________         

Be self-controlled and vigilant always, for your enemy the devil is always about, prowling like a lion roaring for its prey. Resist him, standing firm in your faith, remembering that the strain is the same for all your fellow-Christians in other parts of the world.

~1 Peter 5:8-9 Phillips – New Testament in Modern English

___________

Subscribe to the Attitudes Answers podcast on your favorite podcast platform to hear this and other 2-minute features 3 days every week.