The other day, I learned of some negative, unwarranted, and inaccurate comments spoken about someone I care deeply for. And the more I thought about the injustice of the situation, the more upset I became. So I turned to God in prayer, asking Him to take away my negative emotions–emotions that were souring my stomach and causing my muscles to clench–and to replace these emotions with love, joy, peace, and patience–with grace.
But no matter how hard and long I prayed, my frustration refused to still.
Until I prayed for the “offender.” The moment I spoke the first words of blessing and intercession, peace flooded through me. And while I was yet praying, the words Jesus spoke as He hung on the cross came to mind: “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”
Father forgive them, because they don’t realize what they are doing. Because apart from You, they are incapable of doing better.
Because once, I, too, was just like them, full of anger, of bitterness, of malice. As the oft quote phrase goes, “But by the grace of God, there goes I.”
Ephesians 2:1-3a “Once you were dead because of your disobedience and your many sins. You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil–the commander of the powers in the unseen world. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God. All of us used to live that way, following the passionate desires and inclinations of our sinful nature” (NLT).
Let’s talk about this. When dealing with others, especially those who may be difficult to love, it’s easy to keep our focus on the surface–the words and actions–losing sight of the root–the spiritual condition that is in desperate need of a Savior. It helps when we pause to remember, we–each one of us–were once like them, giving in to our sinful natures and selfish desires. In fact, if not for God’s grace, that is exactly where we would be, slipping further and further into selfishness and isolation. But God handed us a rope–a life vest–in His Son, and now He longs for us to do the same, to be instruments of His life-giving, life-transforming grace. But we can’t point the hurting to God if we’re too busy dwelling on their faults. Instead, we need to keep our eyes ever on the Savior, their Creator, who loves them to their very core. Loved them so much, in fact, He surrendered His life to save them and draw them to Himself.
Share your thoughts and stories in the comments before or on Facebook at Living by Grace.
Today author Mary Ball shares her thoughts on grabbing hold of God’s peace during painful times.
Finding Peace Every Day by Mary Ball
Life is a constant roller-coaster. One day we have the world at our feet, the next day we are struggling just to stay focused.
One of the most emotional journeys we take is the death of a loved one.
I lost a dear friend and mentor, the senior pastor of our church. The man was one of the most loving people I have known, always there to give assistance and a kind word.
During his sickness, I was sure that my spirit would break into when he passed away. To my surprise, my heart shifted. Yes, I was saddened, but I was glad that he had reached his goal. I know beyond doubt that he is with the Lord, where all Christians strive to be one day.
People will say, “Sure, it’s easy to feel that way the person isn’t a relative.”
Philippians 4:7(KJV) “And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
That’s true he wasn’t my kin, nevertheless, I have suffered the loss. I know the pain of saying good-bye to a father and a daughter.
We muddle through the bereavement of a parent. They had a long life and left a mark in the world, but a child is another story.
I remember when my daughter died. I was shattered; my world changed. Life didn’t matter.
The process of healing took a few years. During those times, I carried on, putting on a happy face. I felt it a duty to make sure my youngest daughter didn’t suffer from the animosity of my pain.
Slowly, I started drawing closer to God. I paid attention to God’s word, making a point to read his promises. An acceptance settled in my heart. We all have an appointed time.
Psalm 29:11 “The Lord will give strength unto his people; the Lord will bless his people with peace.”
Nevertheless, we forever remember our children. The purpose though, is to go on, until it’s our time to meet the Lord.
Our hearts will faithfully hold their love, and memories. By going on with our lives we bring honor to them.
Only with God’s peace can we learn to accept the death of a loved one. Our rest is in God. I know my daughter is in Heaven, and that’s what everyone should strive for.
Escape to Big Fork Lake:
Will an inheritance bring new happiness or a trap for murder?
Bad luck seems to follow Sam Blacker. She loses her job and faces daily struggles keeping her drunken neighbor away from her. When an unexpected inheritance gives her a chance for a new beginning, Sam, a city girl at heart, is hesitant. However, after a brutal attack she has no choice.
Making a decision that will forever change her life she flees to the small fishing town of Big Fork Lake, Alabama and soon finds herself in the arms of Noah Frye. A tumultuous relationship with Noah sparks buried desires of the heart, even if he is a Christian, surely, she can get around that little problem.
As Sam and Noah’s passion grows trouble lurks in the shadows, waiting and watching. Inescapable, Sam’s bad luck returns when she stumbles upon a murder and becomes the only suspect. Will she have to run again, this time to stay out of prison? Worse, will she lose the best man she’s ever found? And what about the newfound hunger in heart to know God—can she truly trust in Him?
Mary L. Ball lives in the North Carolina. She writes novels and Christian articles. Her passion is weaving together romantic tales often laced with suspense and mystery. Her books encourage people to see the magic of love, hope and a divine guidance that often lies dormant, waiting to be found by each of us.
Mary is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers. Her debut novel “Escape to Big Fork Lake” is available on Amazon.com in e-book or paperback. Faith Book Nook and Daniel’s Read-a-Lot also has the paperback. Look for her next release title “Stone of Destiny” coming soon.
Have you ever been tempted to cry out, “But I don’t have enough time!”?
We live in a chaotic, distracting world, and when running in circles, scrambling to keep our feet from tripping over our laces–or the mounds of other shoes strewn throughout the house, it’s easy to buy into the lie that there’s just not enough of us to go around.
But I believe, if we’re honest, if we prayerfully evaluate our time–our schedules–we’ll find it’s less about how much time we have and more about how we use the time we’ve been given.
Join me at Takin’ it to the Streets as I prayerfully consider what God would have me do this day. Because if you belong to Christ–if you’ve been redeemed by His death and resurrection–He has a glorious plan for you this day. And every day you spend here on earth.
My suitcase was packed, my flight purchased, my itinerary tucked in my over-stuffed carry-on. In a few short days, I’d be heading to the beautiful Blue Ridge mountains to meet some dear friends–friends I’d prayed for and with, swapped writing with, cared deeply for, but had never met in person.
But I wasn’t sure if I should go. I hadn’t been feeling well and had appeared to slip back instead of moving forward. What if I spent all that money, took time away from my family, only to spend the majority of my time in a hotel room? Would it be worth it?
“Oh, Lord, do you want me to go?” I prayed.
Long story short, I went, and was blessed beyond measure! Not only did I feel better than I have in quite some time, but God merged my heart on an even deeper level with those dear, sweet women, while forming new friendships with other precious sisters in Christ.
He also appeared to open a few doors, doors I’ve been in prayer about ever since. But instead of answers, God gave me a challenge. One I’ll share with you.
Join me at Takin’ it to the Streets, a local homeless ministry I’m part of, as I share God’s challenge not only to me, but to (I believe) every servant of Christ.
Biblical marriage is meant to be a beautiful thing–a living demonstration of Christ’s love and intimacy for and with the church. But marriage, no matter how blissful, should ever steal our hearts from our true bride groom. Today Joi Copeland shares a truth God showed her through Dr. Who of all things.
Me and Dr. Who by Joi Copeland
“I will not watch Dr. Who.” I told my husband not too long ago. I really should be careful with the words I say. A few weeks later, I found myself totally engrossed with Dr. Who.
I agreed with David Tenant when he said, “I don’t want to go.” I even told him back, “I don’t want you to either.” I really liked him as the Doctor. And then came along Matt and Amelia Pond.
I learned a lot from Amelia, a.k.a. Amy. The way she treated her fiance, Rory, to spend time with the Doctor really bothered me. It’s something that I struggled with for a bit. And then it hit me. Oh, boy, did it hit me.
In my life, don’t I do the same thing to Jesus? Oh, but I do! When I got married, I still spent time with God every morning, went to church, etc. But something, or someone, started to replace my Savior. Chris, my husband. Not because he put himself there, but because I did.
I became infatuated with “all things Chris.” I slowly began to look to my husband to fulfill my deepest needs, desires, and wants. Just like Amy did to the Doctor.
Amelia, the Doctor, and Rory often found themselves in perilous situations. She’d place so much trust and hope in the Doctor that Rory didn’t see the need to help. It was sad, really. At one point, she was stuck in a dark room apart from the guys, talking into a receiver so they could hear her. Rory often wondered if she was referring to him or the Doctor. It was heartbreaking.
Yet, I did the same thing. I looked to Chris to “save” me. It wasn’t healthy, not at all. Jesus is the only one who can save, who can fulfill the deepest places in my heart. He’s the One I ought to look to and to cling to in trying times.
Yes, God wants me to love my husband, and believe me, I do. I cannot imagine my life without him. Chris is my best friend, my lover, my soul-mate. He’s my confidante, my encourager, my biggest supporter. But he isn’t Jesus, and never will be. He can’t take away my hurt, heal my pain, or save me from my sins. He isn’t my Daddy, my Lord, my King. That place is reserved for Christ and Christ alone.
It took me years to come to grips with this, to realize what a pedestal I placed Chris on. So now, Jesus is back where he belongs, and I’m thankful I not only learned to love Dr. Who, but I learned a valuable lesson from Amelia Pond.
How about you? Who or what have you placed above our Lord? What did it take for you to recognize that and change?
***
Joi Copeland is married to a wonderful man, Chris, and has three amazing boys, She is living the dream in beautiful Denver, Colorado. Joi loves being a wife and mom and also enjoys spending time with friends over a good cup of coffee or tea. She’s been a Christian for over twenty years. She’s the author of two books, Hope for Tomorrow and Hope for the Journey, and three novellas, Christmas Rayne, Letters of Love, and Sheriff Bride, Rob’s Story.
Let’s talk about this. How can putting your spouse above Christ actually harm your marriage? What does that look like, anyway? What does it look like to put Christ first and to rely on Him to fulfill our needs? Do you have any similar stories to share, perhaps of a time when you were looking to get your needs filled in some other way than turning to and drawing near to Christ? How did He bring you back to Himself?
Share your thoughts and stories in the comments before or on Facebook at Living by Grace.
Watching your daughter fight for life must be unbearable. Hearing her gut-honest questions–questions that appear to have no answers this side of heaven–is unfathomable. So how did Teresa Pollard answer the heart-wrenching question–why do bad things happen to good people? Not with words, but with love. Today, after her daughter’s death, she addresses the question again. Not with anger or bitterness nor a raised fist at God, but instead, with the answer that can only come from surrendered faith.
Why Do Bad Things Happen to Good People?
By Teresa Pollard
And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character, and proven character, hope. Romans 5:3-4
There are several important themes in our novel Not Guilty, but possibly the main one is: why does it seem sometimes that bad things rain on good people like monstrous thunderstorms, while (at least for a time) bad people keep getting away with their malicious and evil deeds? Candi Pullen and I both lost our daughters at very young ages, so it’s a theme that’s become extremely important to us even though the novel was actually written before either death occurred.
When my daughter, Kara, lay dying of cervical cancer, this was the question she kept asking me. She wanted to know what she had done to deserve such an early death. She knew she was saved and had a home in heaven, but she had a young son who needed his mommy, and she didn’t want to leave him.
I didn’t really have an answer for her.
All I could do was tell her I loved her, and that I knew that God loved her too.
I think one of the first songs I ever learned as a small child was Jesus loves me. When Kara was born, her daddy sang it to her in the delivery room while the doctors worked on me. She believed that Jesus loved her, but she didn’t really understand why a loving God would let cancer happen to her. I’ve spent a lot of time over the last six years pondering the same question.
The Apostle Paul pondered it too. He was beaten, stoned, shipwrecked, hungry, thirsty, in danger from all directions, and in great emotional distress. Was he some kind of a super Christian who could endure things that just aren’t possible for us normal folks? No. He was a man just like we are. He admitted weakness. In fact, he said if he had to boast about anything, it would be his weakness, because he knew that it is in our weakness that we find God’s strength.
In the thirteen months between the diagnosis and Kara’s actual death, I shed countless tears. I ranted at God, and I prayed and begged Him to spare her life. He said “no.” I was helpless. I would have given anything to be able to save my daughter’s life, but all I could do was entrust her to the Lord’s keeping. And that’s where I found strength. That’s the difference between a Christian and a non-Christian. We have hope.
This earthly life isn’t the end or even a large part of our existence. It’s a tiny speck of time. But it’s the speck that determines where we will spend eternity. Not only that, but it also determines our rewards in that eternity. One of Kara’s last deeds before she became too ill to go anywhere was to take 300 carnations with messages of hope to patients in the hospital where she had spent so many of her days. The Bible tells us that God even rewards a cup of cold water given in His name. I wonder what the reward is for 300 carnations given by a dying mother to bring hope to patients in great need of that hope.
In Psalm 73:3, Asaph said, “I was envious of the arrogant as I saw the prosperity of the wicked.” Then God gave him a vision of how the wicked will end—an eternity of destruction. On the other hand, I know I will see Kara again someday, and we will spend eternity together in heaven. If you haven’t read Randy Alcorn’s Bible study on heaven, I highly recommend it.
Why do bad things happen to good people? God isn’t finished with me yet, and I still don’t have all the answers. I know we live in a fallen world. I’m still not to the point where, like Paul, I can “exult” in tribulation, but I do know God promises in Romans 8:28 that “all things,” both the good and the bad, “work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” I can understand that somehow they’re for my good and for the good of others. What we don’t really understand when we’re in the middle of things is that it’s not really about us at all. It’s about Him. It’s about the kingdom. If even one person spends eternity in heaven instead of hell because of our suffering, isn’t it worth it? Suppose that one person were your son or daughter? Wouldn’t it be worth it then?
It’s 1974 and Carrie Shepherd, daughter of the minister at Windspree Community Church, is a college senior with plans to be a missionary in Africa. Raped by a masked assailant, Carrie is so traumatized she tells no one until she realizes she’s pregnant. Refusing to have an abortion, she must find the courage to face her family, her fiancé, her friends and a gossiping, angry congregation, which may include her attacker. Can Carrie find the strength to cope with the secrets, silence, and shame? http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1938708067
Teresa Pollard is from Richmond, Virginia, and was saved at a young age. She has a Masters degree in English and Creative Writing from Hollins College, and has served as a Sunday School teacher and children’s worker for most of the last forty years. Married for forty years, she was devastated by divorce and the death of her youngest daughter, but God has blessed her with a new home and another grandson, and she now resides in Dacula, Georgia.
***
I love the song, Blessings, by Laura Story.
In it, she sings about some of our greatest blessings coming through pain and trials. I’ve never lost a child and can’t imagine the pain those who have must feel on a daily basis, but I have experienced trials. And I’ve found, it is often during my moments of greatest pain that I sense God the most. And it is often following intense periods of struggle that I experience my greatest freedom. But more than that, when I look at our world with all it’s pain and suffering, I’m reminded, and grateful, that this is not my home. No, God has something much better planned for those who love Him and have been called according to His purpose. But while we are here, through trial and triumph, what He longs for most is that we point others to Him and His life-saving gospel. For this time is short, and often wrought with pain. But eternity? That will be glorious, my friend, if you know the Lord. For those who don’t? Well, there’s still time to send out invitations.
Let’s talk about this. Are you or a loved one going through a difficult time right now? How might your response to pain reveal the depth of your faith? And what might that say to a watching, hurting world? Pause to think of what Teresa’s daughter did, shortly before her death. She used every last possible moment not to grow bitter or isolate, but instead, to reach out with the love that had taken hold of her, to spread hope.
Share your thoughts and stories in the comments before or on Facebook at Living by Grace.
Change is inevitable. Sometimes it’s exciting, like when one embarks on a new career or welcomes home an infant. Other times, well … Today my dear friend and fellow Living by Grace Hostess, Maria Morgan, encourages us to grab hold of God as we follow Him toward where ever He leads, change and all.
3 Steps to Overcoming the Fear of Change
The days are getting longer. The breeze has lost its chill. Change is in the air. I love the transition from winter to spring. The promise of new growth and warmer temperatures encourages me to embrace a new season.
But all change isn’t as easy to welcome. Some changes bring pain, while others create fear. So how can I prepare myself for the change that is sure to come? God’s Word gives me real insight.
I’m challenged by the Israelites. As they stood poised on the banks of the Jordan River, ready to enter the Promised Land, they had to make some decisions. No doubt they were ready to leave the wilderness far behind – but there was work to be done in this new land if they were to possess it. Hard work and plenty of unknowns.
How did they respond? What did they do to overcome their uneasiness about the new land they were about to enter?
1 – They trusted God.
Joshua encouraged the people with a promise from God. As soon as the priests stepped into the Jordan River, the waters would part and the people would be able to cross the river on dry ground. Instead of questioning God, the people chose to take Him at His word. (Joshua 3:13)
2 – They moved forward one step at a time.
Because the people chose faith over fear, they were able to concentrate on the task that lay ahead of them that day: “And the priests that bare the ark of the covenant of the Lord stood firm on dry ground in the midst of Jordan, and all the Israelites passed over on dry ground, until all the people were passed clean over Jordan.” (Joshua 3:17; KJV)
They didn’t have to worry about what they would face the next day. They chose to do what God expected them to do that day.
3 – They chose to remember God’s goodness.
God instructed the people to set up a memorial of 12 stones taken from the middle of the Jordan River, as a reminder of how He had provided a miraculous path for them to cross into the Promised Land. The people obeyed. The memorial served as a reminder to future generations of God’s strength and goodness. (Joshua 4:20-24)
The next time you’re faced with change, you have the opportunity to respond like the Israelites did: trust God, move forward one step at a time, and remember God’s goodness.
What step will you take today to address your uneasiness with change?
Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for the clear direction You give in Your Word. Help me to trust You in the face of change, and to be willing to move forward step by step. Give me the grace to remember Your goodness. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
*Maria I. Morgan is an inspirational writer and speaker. She’s passionate about sharing the truths of God’s Word with today’s generation. She lives in Georgia with her husband and daughter. Visit her on the web and download a free copy of her eBook God Speaking @ www.mariaimorgan.com.
I love grace–God’s continual, unmerited favor. I love the truth of 2 Corinthian 12:9 “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.” We all face fears, weaknesses–emotions, events, and encounters that threaten to hold us back. But God is bigger than all of these. He is victorious, and through Him, we can be victorious as well. Victorious over fear, discouragement, stagnation, whatever.
Let’s talk about this. Are you facing a time of change? If so, what are some tangible things you can do *today* to draw near to God?
Share your thoughts and stories in the comments before or on Facebook at Living by Grace.
I wonder if one of the reasons we find rainbows so beautiful is because they are most often seen in the midst of a storm. How brightly their colors shine set in a background of gray! Whether that gray comes from storm clouds or an extended absence of sun.
When our daughter was young, she loved searching for rainbows, and she often found them–streaming through clouds, hidden in puddles of oil, or created by sprinkler spray. It amused me the places she’d find bits of color. All because she chose to focus on the blessings rather than the spills and clouds.
Last spring, during a particularly stressful time, our family decided to spend the day at the Plaza in Kansas City. We were in the process of moving, which required hours of meeting with realtors, roofers, tilers, painters … And as my husband spent the work week in Omaha, where we planned to move, most of this fell on my slightly ill-equipped shoulders. (I even learned to spackle!)
Needless to say, by the time Saturday evening came, I was tired, hungry, and ready to go home. (Plus I had some writing deadlines to meet.) But God had other plans, plans that hit us dead on, moments before we were to merge on the freeway.
Looking back, it was quite comical–and maybe even a bit miraculous. As we were driving toward the freeway, a tire came flying straight at us. Yes, a tire! It hit us with enough force to crumple our front end and jerk our car to the right. Then it ricocheted through the air, over the sidewalk, before landing in someone’s lawn. The car it flew off of sputtered, it’s now bald axis scraping against the pavement.
My husband pulled to the side of the road, stunned, and the young man without his front tire did the same.
I still marvel at what might have happened if the accident occurred on the freeway, as both of us merged in 70 mile per hour traffic. A hidden blessing. A life-saving miracle.
Long story short, but as we waited for the police to come, I grew increasingly impatient. (And no, I didn’t pause to think that God might have just saved our life and perhaps the lives of many others by preventing us and the loose-tire driver from entering the freeway.) It didn’t help that I had to use the restroom. But it was cold out, and the nearest possible restroom was down the road a ways.
And so, like any selfish, privileged brat, I began to feed my impatience until it grew to irritation. Our sweet daughter, also tired and hungry, noticed.
“Are you okay, Mom?”
I glanced behind me at her furrowed brow and slight frown, and it was like God shown a flashlight in my heart. By fuming, I was modeling the opposite of what I wanted to train in our daughter. And, if not careful, I could sour our evening, our weekend.
The choice was mine. Would I focus on the gloom or search for the hidden rainbow?
With God’s help, I chose the latter, and opted to head for that bathroom some distance away. It was at a fast food restaurant. I invited my daughter to join me. It was cold, and I was still hungry, but as we walked, giggles soon emerged. Silliness that can only come from the expression of a teenage heart.
What began as an inconvenience had turned into a chance to connect. And I almost missed it.
Each day, no matter how dreary our day or circumstances, I believe God sprinkles His blessings–His rainbows–around us, inviting us to grab hold of the blessing. The choice is ours. But let us never forget, others are watching, and our actions speak much louder than our words. They reveal the depths of our love, of our trust, of our surrender.
I’ll leave you with two verses:
Psalm 71:1 “My life is an example to many because You have been my strength and protection” (NLT). (Can you say this? Notice, it’s not about your strength or determination, but your surrender–your reliance on God for strength and perfection. Kinda simplifies things, no?)
Matthew 3:8 “Prove by the way you live that you have repented of your sins and turned to God.” (This reminds me, my life is to “prove” the power of the gospel. How can I do that? By living a radically transformed life. And how can I live transformed? By drawing near to God, staying connected to Him, daily reading His Word, the Bible, and putting into practice what He shows me. How are you living a transformed, divinely-empowered life?)
Let’s talk about this:
Share a time when you’ve chosen to focus on God’s blessings despite an inconvenient or perhaps even painful circumstance. What was the result? Or, perhaps share the latter–a time when you allowed minor inconvenience steal your joy.
Share your thoughts and stories in the comments before or on Facebook at Living by Grace.
There are times when I’m blown away by the love and grace of believers, then there are other times, well… I suppose I must remind myself that we are all a work in progress with a bit of Adam lingering. And I must also remind myself that there are times, way more than I’d like to admit, when my words and actions reflect anything but grace.
And when they do, when I’m tempted to see the rain instead of the beautiful rainbow God stretches against the sky, may I remember this poem, posted over an email loop by a sweet friend and sister in Christ, Ane Mulligan. (Most of you probably know her for her roll-on-the-floor-laugh-out-loud humor, but I suspect even amidst your giggles you’ve caught a glimpse of her Christ-infused heart.)
As you read her poem, I encourage you to see yourself in it. And the next time you’re tempted to quibble over paint, or procedure changes, or music styles, or any of the other majorly important detail sin life (eye roll) remember this poem, this steeple, and the God who sees it all.
Paint on the Wall By Matt Tullos (C) Matt Tullos
There was a church upon a hill,
Where everything was fine until
The paint inside was getting old
And peeling in some spots, I’m told.
The pastor called a business meeting
And after the preliminary greeting
The Deacons cried, Come one, come all.
What color should we paint the wall?
They gathered in the sanctuary
Each determined and contrary.
Sister Gayle said, What do you think
About a nice chartreuse pink?
Brother Dave said to the crowd,
Isn’t that a bit too loud?
I prefer a subtle blue,
It makes the walls look clean and new.
Six women rebuked, We want gold.
It seems much warmer, blue’s too cold!
I’m here more than all of you.
I agree with Brother Dave. Let’s paint the walls blue.
Have you ever felt God nudge you to do something so out of the norm, so unexpected, you frantically searched for a “unless” clause? There have been countless times when God’s dropped me in something I felt ill-equipped or ill-prepared for, but looking back, those have been the times when I’ve felt closest to God and when I’ve learned the most. And each time, standing on the other side having seen God moved, I’ve been so grateful I said yes. Because God never called us to a stagnant life. Rather, He calls us to full surrender, unhindered obedience. Today my sweet friend and fellow Living by Grace hostess Maria Morgan shares a time when God thrust her out of her comfort zone and what she learned from it.
Stepping Out of the Zone by Maria Morgan
My comfort zone. It’s aptly named, because it’s where I feel comfortable. I’m familiar with the people and places within this zone. I know what to expect. I can be myself and not risk rejection. It’s a safe place.
Recently, my husband, Steve, and I travelled to North Carolina for a charity golf tournament. The event was sponsored by Steve’s company, and was attended by over a hundred people. People I didn’t know.
I was definitely outside my comfort zone. And to add to my discomfort, my lack of expertise in the area of golf left me wondering what to discuss with them. Would we have anything in common?
Be a friend
I wouldn’t classify myself as shy. But I don’t normally go out of my way to meet strangers either.
As the first dinner party got under way, I remembered some words of wisdom from Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived, “A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly…” (Proverbs 18:24; KJV). That was something I could do – be pleasant and welcoming, and show a genuine interest in those to whom I was introduced.I stepped outside my ‘zone.’
Focus on others
Over the next couple days, I thoroughly enjoyed meeting new people, and realized an advantage of leaving my comfort zone. I was focused on others, and no longer concentrating on what was convenient for me.
On our drive back to Georgia, Steve and I talked about the importance of getting together with others. As Christians, we’re instructed to be “…given to hospitality,” (Romans 12:13b).
Make time for what’s important
We were conscious of the fact that we had allowed our schedules to prevent us from following through on this directive. When we realized what we’d been missing, it wasn’t difficult to get out the calendar and begin planning to invite friends and acquaintances over for a time of fun and fellowship.
Are you stuck in your comfort zone? What step are you willing to take today to move beyond what’s comfortable?
Prayer: Heavenly Father, Thank You for challenging me to step out in faith beyond my comfort zone. Your Word provides wisdom for every situation. Help me to practice hospitality with those you bring across my path. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
*Maria I. Morgan is an inspirational writer and speaker. She’s passionate about sharing the truths of God’s Word with today’s generation. She lives in Georgia with her husband and daughter. Visit her on the web and download a free copy of her eBook God Speaking @ www.mariaimorgan.com.
Let’s talk about this!
When has God asked you to step outside your comfort zone, and what were the results? Share your thoughts and God-moments with us in the comments below or join the Facebook discussion at Living by Grace.
