Toxic Relationships

I don’t know about you, but I am discouraged by all the angry, hurtful, and unforgiving words that I hear on a daily basis. Yes, some of them are directed at me, but most are published by some form of media. Many, even, come from our leaders, who quite honestly should be setting a much better example. As a result, many people talk about abandoning toxic relationships. While I understand the emotions and sentiments expressed in the reasons for abandoning relationships, God has a much better way for us to live. Maybe if we walk in God’s way and according to His love, the world might become a bit more friendly.

Ephesians 4:32 says, “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” With all the angry and accusatory words that we hear everyday, let us be lights of love in the world. Let us be kind, loving, tenderhearted and forgiving, and thereby demonstrate God’s love and forgiveness to a broken world.

Master’s Way

Several years ago, my father in law helped us remodel our kitchen. Actually, I helped him remodel our kitchen as he was a master woodworker. Occassionally, he would give me a task to do while giving me some basic instructions on how to do it. Unfortunately, I often would do the task incorrectly and would have to do it again. My problem was that I didn’t have the background or knowledge of the master, so I would make incorrect assumptions and use uninformed processes.

Romans 10:3-4 says, “For, being ignorant of the righteousness of God, and seeking to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.” We cannot obtain righteousness before God through any amount of human or religious effort. We do obtain righteousness before God by believing in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, submitting to His sacrifice on our behalf. Without the Master’s touch, knowledge and His own sacrifice on our behalf, we don’t have the abilities or knowledge to be able to achieve righteousness. His righteousness is far beyond anything we can ever achieve. But He freely offers His righteousness to us. All we must do is believe and submit to His gift.

Who Can Be Against Us?

As we go through live, we will face opposition from time to time. Opposition may come as a rejection for a job or college admission. It may come as we are not selected for a team that we tried to join. But most frequently, opposition comes from people we know or casual acquaintances. Disagreements arise as our opinions and expectations do not match. Some people may even vehemently oppose our ideas and values. How do we handle such opposition?

Romans 8:31-32 says, “What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things.” It is obvious that God is on our side and wants the best for us. He did not withhold His own Son and He will not withhold any good thing from us. God gives us everything we need, even in the face of opposition. We can trust Him even in the difficult situations.

Speak A Different Language

I have been to many countries and always have difficulty communicating with the local residents. This issue doesn’t surprise me because we speak different languages, plus I am not the best communicator even in my mother tongue of English. Therefore, I try to get by with pointing and hand gestures. However, I can not communicate or understand nuances and deeper thoughts without a reliable translator.

Romans 8:26-27 says, “Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.” We unable to think and understand spiritual thoughts on our own. Therefore, God gives His Holy Spirit to guide His children in our thoughts and prayers and to intercede for us before the Father.

Weariness

We have many reasons to grow weary in these days. We all are involved in many activities and a fast-paced lifestyle that can suck the energy right out of us. Sometimes, we are revived when we see the benefits of the good things that we try to do. But we don’t always see the effects of our good efforts.

Galatians 6:9-10 says, “And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.” We may be tempted to give up when we are doing good works because we are not seeing results from our efforts. But God promises that we will reap the benefits of our efforts, although these rewards may not be immediately evident. So we should remain steadfast in our efforts to bless people.