Can Showing Mercy to Oneself Be Healthy?

Most people might not think of actually exhibiting mercy to themselves. They might be defensive if they are challenged or accused of being wrong about an issue. Being caught in a mistake provides the opportunity to extend mercy to yourself.by saying, “You’re right; I was wrong. I apologize.”

Mercy extended to oneself includes seeking forgiveness from others who have been hurt by our deliberate acts of carelessness, anger, or jealousy. Granting mercy to oneself involves refusing to torture yourself because God’s loving mercy exonerates those who seek forgiveness and who make amends for their sins.

God’s mercy and forgiveness create in us an attitude of thanksgiving that helps us be willing to grant mercy to ourselves and grant mercy to others as well. What a wonderful way to begin a new day with a clean heart capable of joy and peace! God makes this possible by trusting him to love us to a depth that is sometimes difficult to understand.

   

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In the same way your light must shine before people so that they will see the good things you do and praise your Father in heaven.

~Matthew 5:16 Good News Bible

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What Vision and Purpose Are Laid Out for Your Life?

One characteristic unique to each person is the capacity to hope for a contented future. This hope gave birth to the discovery and growth of our own nation. Proverbs 29:18 issues this warning: “Where there is no vision, the people perish.”

Lewis Johnson offers this advice: “The idea is to seek a vision that gives you purpose in life plus energy for implementing the vision. Having a vision implies taking action, or the vision will sink back into nothingness.” David believed God had a purpose for his life and had saved him for that purpose.

David had an opportunity to kill Saul, but he refused to do it, for that would negate God’s purpose and timetable. David’s strategy for managing trouble was to listen to his conscience while believing God would provide guidance for the future. 

When your conscience is enlightened by the Holy Spirit, God can bring to fruition his purpose as well as your hopes and dreams. Believe that!                    

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In the same way your light must shine before people, so that they see the good things you do and praise your Father in heaven.

~Matthew 5:16 Good News Bible

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

Give God Credit

Throughout recorded history God has given special abilities to select individuals who would work for his purpose. Joseph’s unique gift was interpreting dreams, which he did sparingly. On one occasion Joseph was summoned from prison to interpret the king of Egypt’s dreams and gave God credit for the interpretations.

 

          Joseph saw himself as an instrument through which God expressed his power and pleasure. This attitude gave Joseph credibility as he explained to Pharaoh that God would reveal the meaning of his dreams. Pharaoh saw Joseph as a representative of God, who is honored when we realize the fact that all we are and all we can do result from His power within us. 

          This attitude acknowledges God designed us for a special purpose that brings glory and honor to himself. God gives us wisdom to ensure that his purpose is implemented for His glory. We benefit as we realize "He is our God and we are His people." Give God credit for the good things He accomplishes through you.  

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Let your light shine before people in such a way that they may see your good deeds, and praise your Father in heaven.

~Matthew 5:16 Williams – New Testament in the Language of the People

We don’t deserve praise! The Lord alone deserves all the praise, because of his love and faithfulness.

~Psalm 115:1 Contemporary English Version