Marks of the True Christian

Marks of the True Christian. Sounds like a pretty important title. This one is found in chapter 12 of Romans verses 9 though 21. Verse 15 expounds on a mark of the true christian I've struggled with. Especially as a young christian. Here's what it says; "Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep."
I can, by God's Spirit, be sorrowful with my bothers and sisters who are hurting. By His Spirit I can be joyful and rejoice over wonderful things. What I find difficult is doing both at the same time. There are times of great sadness and unmeasurable joy. Often those times overlap one another. I feel as though I'm betraying one when I feel the other. If I'm joyful I'm be disrespectful to those who are in pain, but am I not undermining something wonderful when I'm sorrowful while something if being rejoiced over? But here is this command from the One who knows and sees all, to do both.

It was so hard for me to understand. And I still struggle with this at times. I feel very deeply. The things I hear, see and experience effect me greatly. Even though I struggle to express it vocally. I used to be upset with those around me who could be happy and act like nothing sad had just happened. I felt that things like death, pain, and loss were to be acknowledged more than just momentarily. How could someone even mention things they were happy about? Did they have no respect for those who had suffered? It just didn't seem right.

So this verse and other like it threw me for a loop. I learned this, like everything else is impossible on my own. I can't do it without His Spirit. I can't do it without His help. Then and only then, is it possible. God created our feelings, our soul, our emotions. He created them for His glory! With His strength we can truly, "Weep with those who weep, and rejoice with those who rejoice." There are people around us hurting and as the body of Christ we need to feel their pain. There are also those around us who have things to rejoice over. It is our privilege to be able to come along side them and praise the Lord! We are the body of Christ! We weep together, we rejoice together. We feel each others pain, we celebrate each others joys. What an opportunity! God is merciful and compassionate. He is the great comforter. Through Him we can show compassion and comfort to others. He also is wise and rejoices over His creations! So by Him we are also able to be joyful with those who are rejoicing!

So yes, it is impossible on my own to be able to feel joy and pain at the same time. To be both to my fellow children of God. But through the Holly Spirit in us we can! Our heavenly Father would not tell us to do something He is not willing to give us the strength for. So why not ask Him for the strength to do both when need be. Don't try to do it all on your own. Reach out in love to those who are hurting and be His hands and feet as well as His messenger. Rejoice with those who have reason to do so. Don't drag them down. Rejoice with them! Share the burdens, but also the joy. I want His love to shine through me in both. I pray He will do the same for you. :)

Thanks for checking out my blog! Take a look at my other posts if you'd like! I hope this has encouraged you and motivated you to share His love and compassion even more. Blessings!

        

It's Not Even Thanksgiving

It dictates my attitude more times than not. It is the basis for how I view things and people. The absence of it does not go unnoticed for long. Have you guessed what the subject is yet? Well guessed it or not I'm gonna tell ya! Drum roll please..........It's thankfulness! Why, you may ask, am I writing a blog post about thankfulness? To be honest it's because I have been failing at it lately. I'm not afraid to admit it. Well, maybe a little...it hurts my pride. But pride stinging or not this is what God put on my heart to blog about. So that's what I'm about to do! I also really love the subject of thankfulness.

Thankfulness. This one thing makes such a difference when it comes to just about anything in life. It has an impact on our relationships (with others and God), how we handle hardships, how we think about fiances, how we pray, ect. So many things are determined by whether we are thankful or not.

One of my favorite verses on thankfulness is Philippians 4:6. It tells us not to be anxious about ANYTHING, but rather to come humbly before our Father with a thankful attitude where we can lay our burdens before Him. I love what the following verse promises; that we will have a surpassing peace that passes our understanding and guards our heart and mind. What a wonderful promise! We are to "set the tone" so to say by being thankful.

Prayer, thanking the One from whom "every good gift" comes is so essential. We are saying, "I  am so humbled that You would bless me so beyond what I deserve. Thank you though, that through Your Son I am worthy. I'm accepted. I am able to receive such blessing as the ones that surround me. Because when you look on me you see Your servant, but also Your child."

I'll share a little something with you that I've been doing for the past year or so. It helps set my heart on thankfulness and purpose for my day. My first intentional thought in the morning when I wake up is, "Thank You Lord for another day! How can I serve You?" Now you may have an idea that would work better for you. I'm a morning person, it may not be the same way for everyone. But the main point is that we start the day with thankfulness in our heads and most importantly in our hearts.

There is always always always something to be thankful for! You might be having a miserable day. You might have woken up this morning to find your hair really does hate you. Your really hot coffee might have spilled on your shirt and or pants. You might have stubbed your toe on the table leg (it happens). It might be raining and you get caught without your rain jacket or rain boots. Which is really unfortunate...because you didn't see that puddle...oops. Now before you all start feeling sorry for me because you're assuming this is the type of day I've had, because it's not. I'm just trying to make a point, make this relatable, and be funny. Anywho, all this could have happened and more, but that doesn't change the fact that there is always something to be thankful for. For instance salvation. A Father who loves us and always will. His goodness and righteousness. Friends. Family. Our spouse.
So even if you're having a hard time thinking of something to be thankful for you can start there. Then I guarantee other things will come to mind. I think you'll find things will flood your mind that you're thankful for. I start noticing more things around me that I'm thankful for which leads to more thankfulness! It's a chain reaction. It becomes a habit. And a great one at that! It has to start somewhere. So why not in our talks with The Lord? He's always ready to listen. Thank Him and let that heavenly peace wash over you.


Thank others around you too! Everyone could use more thanking. If you're thankful for someone, tell them! Don't think I'm telling you this from a place of perfect thankfulness. There are plenty of people around me who deserve to be thanked and plenty of times I could thank the Father. But like my momma said, "If I waited till I was perfect to teach you I'd never teach you anything." Likewise, if I waited to share what God has taught me till I had it perfectly I would never share anything.

If you've read all the way down here (and survived my scatter-brainedness) let me just say thank you for stopping by my blog! Y'all are great! I hope this has encouraged you, even in just the least bit. Have a very blessed day!