Problems, Issues, Distractions...... all part of life....

Oh my goodness. I know life is tough, but what is it about all these problems, all these issues, all these distractions going on? I grow weary of seeing it, hearing it, being in the middle of it. I'm tired. I wonder if God is tired of me bringing all these things before Him all the time. Naw..... He wouldn't be. He loves it when I bring all these issues to Him.

I read a scripture in my quiet time this morning that hit home on some things I've observed the past few days.

The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but he who holds counsel is wise. Proverbs 12:15

We all naturally assume our own opinions are right. Wise people, however, listen to contrary opinions to see if they might have made a mistake; fools don't.

How many times do we judge others because of something we have observed, heard, or seen? Who we are determines how we see others. We are all made differently, and have been raised differently - even in one family! Many times siblings have totally different personalities because of the way they were raised, of their different likes and dislikes, of their abilities.

And it often determines how we view others. What is around us doesn't determine what we see in people, what is within us does. Why? Because the way people see others is a reflection of themselves.

If I am a trusting person, I will see others as trustworthy.
If I am a critical person, I will see others as critical.
If I am a caring person, I will see others as compassionate.

Your personality comes through when you talk about others and how you interact with them. Someone who doesn't know you, but observes you, would be able to tell a lot about who you are (and what you believe) based on a simple observation. Do you claim to be a Christian and yet belittle and are rude to others? It doesn't matter how they behave - many times you have already formed an opinion by something someone else has said, what this person might have done in the past (whether to you or others). Your self-proclaimed Christian walk is not true if you belittle and demean others by your arrogance, rudeness, attitude.

But God always gives us grace. I would not be where I am today without God's grace. And neither would you. I shudder to think what my life would be like if I had not run to God many years ago and sought His face, His forgiveness of my many sins. Am I perfect today? Absolutely not. I fail many times to be the person I believe I should be. But I live in God's grace, and I try to be whom God created me to be.

Sometimes I am unable to do what I know God wants me to do, but I also know that He knows my heart, soul and mind. He will direct my path and keep me on the journey I am on until He takes me home. Sometimes I wish it was soon for I grow so weary at times. But I know all things are in His timing.

My perception of others is sometimes based on how I've been treated. I need to offer them grace because I don't know what they have gone through to form their personalities. They don't know my story, and I don't know theirs.

I don't want to be thought a fool because of things I say, or my behavior formed by my opinion. I don't want others to see me as hateful and rude and arrogant because of my behavior or the words I say when I say I am a Christian.

I want them to see Christ in me. I want to influence them for Christ. Unfortunately, many times they are turned away because of things said and done. I don't want that on my conscience.

What is your perception of others - and what do you think their perception is of you? Are you a fool? Or wise?

Blessings!