Major Betrayal? Major Change Required

It's impossible to complete any stage of life without offending or hurting another person. I'm not referring to a minor transgression where an apology could make things right. I’m referring to a major betrayal that scars a person for life or perhaps wounds someone by deliberate actions intended to do harm.

          Making amends is a requirement for inner peace and peace with others. God put it in the heart and mind of Jacob to make amends to his brother for shameful acts of betrayal. To have inner peace and peace with God, he had to submit to sacrificing part of his identity. God changed his name to Israel, for he had struggled with God. 

            Can you imagine the impact that changing your given name would have in every area of your life? Making amends to his brother would demand significant sacrifices, for amends are impossible without sacrifice. What you receive from that sacrifice is God's pleasure and acceptance. It is a small price to pay for such a tremendous reward. 

Belief for a Breakthrough

Many children are diagnosed today with attention deficit disorder, with or without hyperactivity. The word hyperactivity indicates the absences of calmness, so medication and other therapies may serve as a bridge to help these children at school and with social activities as well as to help with acceptance by peers and adults.

 

Remember the story of the woman who touched the hem of Jesus’ outer garment and was healed? Her determination served as a bridge to health that no doctor of her day could provide. You know what caught my interest in this story? The moment she touched the hem of his garment, Jesus sensed a source of power had gone out from him to someone who needed help.

That woman’s faith was the bridge that brought the healing power of Christ into her body. Can you imagine the calmness and peace she would feel the rest her entire life? Knowing that God cares enough to hear your pleas and answer your prayers is a bridge to calmness and peace. May these attributes of faith be yours. 

Fightings Within, Fears Without: Come to God - Part 2

Internal struggles are often related to unexpressed resentment and perhaps to striving to live up to the expectations of others. A young woman in her last year of medical school abruptly resigned, much to her parents’ dismay. For her, each day of medical school had been a battle. The war existed between what her parents expected of her and the realization that medical school was not her passion.

Even gifted and talented people get stuck in unlikable careers, often out of necessity. Job 3:26 clearly identified the young woman’s position: “I have no peace, no quietness; I have no rest, only turmoil.” The surgery rotation convinced her beyond a shadow of doubt that being a physician was not in her future.

While she had to face her parents, friends and extended family, the young woman believed God had a place for her where she could be at peace within herself. Her choice was a step of faith and trust after prayer and counsel with her professors. Internal peace comes by making peace with God and being in his will, which he desires for each of us.  

Golden Rule: Golden Opportunities - Part 3

The mother of a young man who was brutally murdered related how she hated the man who committed the atrocious felony. She promised to give all her energies to keeping him incarcerated for the rest of his life. Complete healing may be impossible if the judicial system is lenient with this violent offender and neglects her need for justice.

Hate, bitterness and anger are self-destructive. My psychology professor noted that persistent stress subjects the body to disease by weakening the immune system. Hate, anger and bitterness are detrimental to the mind, body and spirit by creating a barrier to properly loving yourself.

Yet God’s word instructs believers to love what is good and hate what is evil. Hate felt toward another person, however, is contradictory to the Golden Rule. "Do unto others as you would have others do unto you" is difficult to actualize, and is a lifetime endeavor. Implore God to give you the will to comply with his command. Would you do that? 

Golden Rule: Golden Opportunities - Part 2

In what areas of everyday life should the Golden Rule apply? "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you" is one of the toughest principles of life to put into practice. Our conscience teaches us it is right, and our intellect teaches us it is necessary for peace within ourselves and peace with other human beings.

          Jesus anchors the Golden Rule to a love for God. 1 John 4:20 reminds us, "If anyone says 'I love God,' yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother cannot love God." For most of us, we hear this truth and it sounds right, but in reality, we have trouble applying it.

          What does the Golden Rule require from you? First, take it seriously. Next, do a thorough self-examination. Realize that God loves you unconditionally even with all your hidden secrets. Even when you were still in a depraved, sinful state, Jesus died on the cross for your redemption. Ask God for opportunities to practice the principles of the Golden Rule.  

Overcome Obstructions: Submit to God - Part 1

Relationships thrive where peace is present. Peace is listed after love and joy in Galatians 5:22 as a fruit of the Spirit. Jesus said he would give peace to those who put their faith and trust in him. The peace he promised is not a fragile peace like the world gives, but the peace of God identified as a fruit of the Spirit that gives believers confidence.

Satan creates obstructions to negate God’s peace and must be confronted with the armor Jesus makes available to Christians to protect them from attempts to negate the peace Jesus provides. Blaming others for our shortcomings and failures is an obstruction we choose when we, by our own volition, submit to temptation.

While there are many obstructions, God provides ways to overcome every hurdle and stumbling block. When we stand ready to be accountable for our failures by seeking forgiveness, God restores the peace he promised. “When you seek God with all your heart, He will be found.”  This is an affirmation that secures peace for the weary soul.  

Choosing Compassion and Forgiveness - Part 3

There have always been tragic situations that God's people have to endure, while perpetrators of hurtful acts appear to escape suffering. Are laws that give criminals rights and protection, but often ignore the rights of victims, unjust? Are we too lenient on those who hurl rebellion and pride in the face of society?

The older brother saw his father coddle his younger sibling, who was irresponsible, lazy, and disloyal. The older brother's attitude concerning his younger brother was to send this slacker on down the road. Let him suffer for the pain he brought on the family. He could not bring himself to forgive either his brother or father.

We, like the older brother, have choices concerning how we behave. Anger and resentment destroy our inner peace and separate us from fellowship with God and others. Proverbs 12:15 issues a warning. "The ways of a fool seem right to him, but a wise man listens to advice." God never fails to show us the way to forgiveness and righteousness.