EMOTIONS

"He that is first in his own cause seemeth just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him."

 Proverbs 18:17

Counseling with those suffering “great hardships” or injustice at the hands of another, I listen to stories of cold, callused, and calculated indignity and betrayal. Sometimes these are true. Often, if both parties to sit down and examine the facts together with a hope for resolution, a different story emerges. Not to imply that one came in to deceive but in many instances, looking through the glass of feelings has skewed the facts.

Human emotions like crystal add brilliance to the ordinary but equally distort lines of definition and clarity. Each by nature will relate facts distorted by our own feelings. Accountability is often the only way to view our situation from another’s perspective.

If we ever hope to see our true state, we must examine it through the pure, distortion free word of God. Even when we are the “neighbor,” emotions will often distort our view; but when together we view any situation through the corrective lenses of God’s word the truth comes into focus and the distortion removed.

Law Against Happiness

Unconditional love between a husband and wife or father and child can not depend on strict adherence to a set of rules. No one can be perfect, therefore, grace not law drives unconditional love. 
As believers we came to salvation in Christ Jesus by grace through faith. The trap we often fall into is to think that doing good things all the time will make us extremely happy. So we bind ourselves with restrictive rules and demand perfection until happiness is excluded. The source of our joy is in Christ not rules or perfection. When we focus on our relationship by grace to Christ we find joy. This joy opens the door to happiness, fulfillment and righteousness because it is no longer a matter of law but of love, no longer a restrictive rule but a loving response. Learning to love unconditionally by grace is the key.  And nothing makes us happier than experiencing unconditional love. And I above all men am blessed. 

There is a great falling away from the truth of God in our land today. Many are looking far and wide for purpose, for understanding and for guidance but find no lasting peace and comfort in what they find.

Amos wrote of a “Famine in the land” not of food or water but “Of hearing of the words of the Lord.” Amos 8:11 He describes a situation very similar to today, where our young women and men “faint for thirst.” Our young people have great difficulty seeking righteousness because they have lacked the foundational, empowering teachings of God concerning life choices. Even those raised in church, if they have been taught the words of the Lord, have also had them bashed and questioned and have been ridiculed for it by popular society and educational leaders. What they need from us is Biblical instruction AND a living example of the peace and power of the words of God in our love, grace and lives.

Do You Love Me?

 How many times have you asked or been asked this question? Sometimes just to hear again the expression of another’s love for you; and sometimes with genuine fear that your love will not returned in kind. I know that I love to hear the words “I love you” from those I love.

Jesus asked Peter, “Do you love me?” In this case though, Jesus knew well Peter’s love and spoke so that Peter would come to understand that his love was real and that with love comes a responsibility to act in that love on behalf of others (John 21.)

Love is never really known by words alone, it is experienced by its actions. Actions that speak louder than words have always been the truest expression of love. Only actions really mean anything.

How are you proving your love to God and others? Do your actions really say, “I love you”?

DIStOrTIoN

 

How much does life experience effect understanding and interpretation of words and events?

Someone abused from birth often sees things differently than one lovingly nurtured. A person who has nearly starved all their life likely interprets hardship stories differently. By our very nature, we default to self-centered explanations of cause and purpose in all that we see, read or hear. The Bible addresses this common problem of distortion in 2Peter 1:19-21. We are told to pay close attention to the light that is shining into our dark place because until His Holy Spirit reigns in our understanding we are given to “private interpretation”, egocentric analysis, self-centered distortions of what God has given for the benefit of many.

In life as in scripture, we often jump to personal application without even attempting to understand the truth that the situation is communicating. When we bypass the effort true understanding demands, the black hole of our own bias distorts our interpretation and leads us to jump to conclusions and reactions that are full of passion but lack compassion and concern. God intends his children to act in the love, grace and truth of God-centered, undistorted understanding.