How Does Trust Affect Giving or Receiving Mercy?

Every new day, set the stage for a new beginning. You may have given thought to what needs to change now in your life. God consistently brings to mind possibilities for healthy relationships with himself and others. Unavoidable stress and conflict call for acts of mercy to be expressed or received.

The major reason to withhold giving or receiving mercy is lack of trust. The underlying excuse for people to avoid receiving or extending mercy is so weaknesses and vulnerabilities can remain hidden. Some individuals stubbornly cling to old ways of thinking and feeling to keep themselves emotionally safe.

Some situations appear locked up, but old boundaries can be eased by the testing of this old axiom: “Nothing ventured, nothing gained.” Hosea10:12 encourages you to “Plow new ground for yourself, plant righteousness, and reap the blessings your devotion produces.” Christ in you prompts you to press onward so you can reap his blessing.      

_________ 

Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.

~Mark 11:24 New International Version

 

Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this.

~Psalm 37:5 New International Version

_________

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

Christ, Crucified and Alive in Us

Internal conflict differs from struggles between individuals. Internal conflicts that go unresolved will predictably surface at a later place and time. This happens because a particular struggle has been too painful to talk or think about. Although out of mind for a while, it has the power to surface and to influence daily life.

Lisa couldn’t wait to leave home for college. She chose a university that was as far away as possible. She grew up feeling overly protected. Her parents did not trust her to make good choices, to the point of being overbearing. Their control created in Lisa anger and fear which she could not express.

Arriving at college, she threw caution to the wind for a carefree lifestyle. Eventually, Lisa became so unhappy she was forced to address the anger and sadness she had stuffed away. While it's difficult to work out such pain and suffering, with God's help and the love and trust of caring people, a new purpose and direction for life can be discovered.

_______________________ 

 Jesus said,“Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me.”

~John 14:1 New Living Translation    

I died on the cross with Christ. And my present life is not that of the old “I”, but the living Christ within me. The bodily life I now live, I live believing in the Son of God who loved me and sacrificed himself for me.

~Galatians 2:20 Phillips – New Testament in Modern English     

Christ, Our Living Peace

Conflict can damage the fabric that holds a family together when troubles become destructive, causing family members to lose love, trust and respect for each other. Differences in temperament and personality generate opposing objectives and goals. However, if mutual love, trust and respect exist, differences should not create hostility and alienation.

One significant reality experienced in relationships is that people will over time devise opposing goals. Nevertheless, if mutual love for God and each other is present, personal goals and ambitions can be explored without fear of belittlement. Respect permits each person to be unique in their perceptions of how they fit into the world. 

It’s imperative to understand that lack of trust promotes conflict. Lack of trust accounts for shattered relationships because simple trust reflects integrity, honesty and moral conduct. Trust in Christ Jesus is central to building a peaceful, healthy atmosphere where conflicts can be managed in ways that strengthen your relationships and your faith.  

_______________________

For Christ is our living peace. He has made us both one by breaking down the barrier and enmity which lay between us. By his sacrifice he removed the hostility of the Law, with all its commandments and rules.

~Ephesians 2:14-15 Phillips – New Testament in Modern English

Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you.
~2 Thessalonians 3:16 New International Version

Trust God's Process to Forgiveness

Three basic emotions that keep forgiveness within darkness are anger, fear and hurt. Lack of trust is positioned alongside these and stands as a barrier to peace and unity. It’s unbelievable how a person not only can lose all regard for someone they previously loved, but given enough disappointments and apathy, their will to forgive may evaporate.

The more intense anger, fear and hurt become, the harder it is to trust forgiveness. This doesn’t imply that forgiveness is out of the question. It does mean, however, that serious issues encased in these emotions need be addressed before forgiveness can be considered. People require boundaries to insure their emotional and physical health.

Setting boundaries is one step to forgiveness but does not disregard God's word instructing us to forgive others as he has forgiven us. Forgiveness must ensure that proper boundaries have been established so the bridge to integrity and personal safety can be ultimately built and maintained. God rejects chaos and disunity, for he is a God of stability.  

_______________________

For he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son, who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins.

~Colossians 1:13-14 New Living Translation

Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust him to help you do it and he will.

~Psalm 36:5 The Living Bible

A Green-Eyed Monster Called Jealousy

Jealousy is a common emotion experienced by everyone at some level. It's an emotion few people would endorse or boast about. Those who experience it often feel shame especially when it gets out of hand.  If a relationship is believed to be in danger, exaggerated jealousy may surface with rage and a fiery vengeance.

          Rachel felt jealous when her sister Leah could have children for Jacob while she remained barren.  Fostered by a lack of trust that she would ever conceive, Rachel persuaded Jacob to have children with her maid- servant.  Sound familiar?  Now jealousy has become the equalizer in a situation rather than trust in God’s plan and purpose. 

          As jealousy gains a foothold, it leaves little room for faith and trust. Jealousy is obsessed with thinking and feeling just one way.  To escape, force yourself to focus on Romans 12:2.  God’s word instructs you to be transformed by renewing your mind by the power of Christ Jesus in you.  Ask Jesus to transform you now.