I have been battling a bad attitude lately. And especially today. It seems that once I have a bad attitude, or am in a bad mood, it is so hard for me to break out of it. It sours everything I do and all of my interactions, particularly with my husband and kids. I admit that this particular bad attitude began with a little Valentine's Day disappointment. Now, I should say at this point that my husband was wonderful to me yesterday and it was an overall good day. The problem was probably in my expectations, which were fairly high apparently and not quite met. Hence, the disappointment and bad attitude.
I awoke with the same bad attitude and dealt with it initially by trying to avoid everyone this morning. Easier said that done in a house with two preschoolers! I was not very kind to my kids and was short with my husband. Not my proudest moments, for sure.
As the morning went on and I tried to have a better attitude by will power alone (without success, I might add), I began to think about what we have been studying - love. And how our love towards others should not depend on what we get from them. I needed a change of focus from what I felt had been missed. Instead, I needed to focus on God. When I feel unloved here on earth, I can always count on the love of God. I began to think about verses I've studied in the course of doing this blog and thinking about God's expression of love through the sacrifice of His son. And it worked!
If you sense a bit of surprise, you would be right! I am ashamed to admit that I didn't actually think this would work to change my attitude. But it did. I still struggled through the rest of my day to keep my attitude in check, but it was exactly the break that I needed. I hope that I am not the only one getting the point here. We can break the cycle of disappointment, feeling unloved, and just plain being in a bad mood by changing our focus. And we can change our focus by dwelling on God and Scripture. By filling our minds (and our hearts) with the truths we know from the Bible. I purposefully turned my mind to God and His truth and my emotions eventually followed. I am so glad that I learned this lesson today and I hope that I will remember it the next time my bad attitude hits.
I also have to admit that in the past, I would have taken out my V-day disappointment by criticizing my husband and telling him exactly what I thought he did wrong. And I can say from experience that it doesn't help! It only makes everyone feel badly. God is changing my heart and I have his Word and, in part, this study to thank for it.
If you all have had "breakthroughs" or have learned something through our study so far, I would love to hear about it!
Monday, February 15, 2010
Friday, February 12, 2010
The holiday for love
As we head into valentine's day this weekend, we naturally think of our husbands (or wives). Here is a devotion on showing love to our spouse.
Proverbs 31 - Love, Respect and Admiration
Proverbs 31 - Love, Respect and Admiration
Thursday, February 11, 2010
How do we grow in our love for God?
I read my daily devotion that I get in my email and thought it was good.
Proverbs 31 - Grow in love for God
"Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe," Hebrews 12:28 (NIV)
"Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever." 1 Chronicles 16:34 (NIV)
Proverbs 31 - Grow in love for God
"Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe," Hebrews 12:28 (NIV)
"Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever." 1 Chronicles 16:34 (NIV)
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Interesting Quote
Here is a quote I got about love that I got from my Bible study workbook. The author is Dr. Criswell Freeman with Tim Way. Read it and let me know what you think!
"Love is a choice. Either you choose to behave lovingly toward others ... or not; either you behave yourself in ways that enhance your relationships ... or not. But make no mistake: genuine love requires effort."
"Love is a choice. Either you choose to behave lovingly toward others ... or not; either you behave yourself in ways that enhance your relationships ... or not. But make no mistake: genuine love requires effort."
Sunday, February 7, 2010
It's All About God
God has been reminding me a lot lately that this love thing is all about Him. I think I mentioned that before but I now see it everywhere. Look at the verses from two posts ago. The focus is always on God. Not on us. And not even on the recipients of our loving actions here on earth, like our families and friends. This also is what makes this love different. The world is obsessed with love but always seems to miss the mark of real and true love. I believe this is the difference. God is love. True love can only come from Him and must be about Him alone.
Jesus says in John 3:19b, "... men loved the darkness rather than the light, for their deeds were evil." Our actions tell us where our love lies; they tell us what we love the most. A person who loves God will act in a way that reflects that love. Those actions are love being shown to others through our kindness, patience, and other elements of love found in I Corinthians 13. The purpose of our loving actions is not just to be loving, but to glorify God, whom we love. He is both the source of our love and the ultimate object of our love.
We cannot hope to love others without first knowing and loving God. Once we know and love God, our purpose is naturally to glorify Him. We glorify Him by loving others and He gives us the love and strength to do just that.
Do you all agree? Does this make sense to you? What does it mean for us and the practical steps we should be taking in our daily lives to be more loving? I want to hear what you think!
Jesus says in John 3:19b, "... men loved the darkness rather than the light, for their deeds were evil." Our actions tell us where our love lies; they tell us what we love the most. A person who loves God will act in a way that reflects that love. Those actions are love being shown to others through our kindness, patience, and other elements of love found in I Corinthians 13. The purpose of our loving actions is not just to be loving, but to glorify God, whom we love. He is both the source of our love and the ultimate object of our love.
We cannot hope to love others without first knowing and loving God. Once we know and love God, our purpose is naturally to glorify Him. We glorify Him by loving others and He gives us the love and strength to do just that.
Do you all agree? Does this make sense to you? What does it mean for us and the practical steps we should be taking in our daily lives to be more loving? I want to hear what you think!
How I'm Doing So Far
I have had good moments and bad moments this week with my reactions, serving and going the extra mile. Serving is kind of a way of life for me right now because I am the mother of two very young children who cannot yet do a whole lot for themselves. But I find I'm doing a little better at serving with grace as opposed to serving with a bad attitude. I'm starting to enjoy serving more (sometimes), so I know that God is definitely making changes to my heart.
I'm starting to do better with the extra mile too, though I admit I don't think about it as often as I should. I know God is working here too because he reminds me of little things sometimes. I like to think that it was God who made me think to turn my husband's white t-shirts right-side out when folding them. Now, you should know that I used to have a strict policy of not doing this and it is kind of a pet peeve of mine. It seems silly now, but my theory was that if he was going to put them in the laundry that way he should have to turn them himself. I was actually a little peeved at God for this thought because I don't really like folding these t-shirts and I like turning them even less! (I know you all think I'm crazy now but don't we all have a little thing like this?) Anyway, I did it grudgingly and felt a little better afterwards. I don't think my husband even noticed but I felt like I served him a little better than before.
As for reactions, today has not been the best day. Am I the only one whose children like to push my buttons and know exactly which buttons to push at any given time? Well, that was my morning. And I reacted with yelling and threats (naughty spot, leaving without them, etc.). Not good and not loving. I did apologize afterwards but I clearly have more work to do on that one. I am positive I will be provided many more opportunities to practice!
How have you all been doing? Is anyone trying something new or different? Please share!
I'm starting to do better with the extra mile too, though I admit I don't think about it as often as I should. I know God is working here too because he reminds me of little things sometimes. I like to think that it was God who made me think to turn my husband's white t-shirts right-side out when folding them. Now, you should know that I used to have a strict policy of not doing this and it is kind of a pet peeve of mine. It seems silly now, but my theory was that if he was going to put them in the laundry that way he should have to turn them himself. I was actually a little peeved at God for this thought because I don't really like folding these t-shirts and I like turning them even less! (I know you all think I'm crazy now but don't we all have a little thing like this?) Anyway, I did it grudgingly and felt a little better afterwards. I don't think my husband even noticed but I felt like I served him a little better than before.
As for reactions, today has not been the best day. Am I the only one whose children like to push my buttons and know exactly which buttons to push at any given time? Well, that was my morning. And I reacted with yelling and threats (naughty spot, leaving without them, etc.). Not good and not loving. I did apologize afterwards but I clearly have more work to do on that one. I am positive I will be provided many more opportunities to practice!
How have you all been doing? Is anyone trying something new or different? Please share!
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Love According to Scripture
Here are some verses about love to think about...
"He who covers over an offense promotes love, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends." Proverbs 17:9. Love means forgiving and avoiding gossip.
"Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love." Romans 12:9-10. Love means devotion. Think about what it means to be truly devoted to another person. This is what love is and what we should be striving for.
"Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity." Colossians 3:12-14
"Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Every one who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God because God is love. This is how God showed his love among us: He sent His one and only son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God, but if we love one another, God lives in us and His love is made complete in us." I John 4:7-12 Wow. God's perfect example of love. It's too bad that sometimes it is so hard for us to truly understand and put God's love into practice in our own lives. Also note that love is knowing God.
"This is love for God: to obey His commands. And His commands are not burdensome, for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith." I John 5:3 This is one of my favorites. It is so encouraging. Am I the only one who reads that first line and thinks "burdensome"? It's like God knew we would say that, so he put in the next part to encourage us and let us know that He is always with us, helping us to love him by obeying and growing in our faith.
What is your reaction to these verses? Do they inspire you? What do you learn or see about love in these verses? I challenge you to choose one of these verses, or one that you find on your own (please share it too!) and memorize it. Make it a sort of mantra this week and see if it makes a difference in your outlook, attitude, actions and life.
"He who covers over an offense promotes love, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends." Proverbs 17:9. Love means forgiving and avoiding gossip.
"Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love." Romans 12:9-10. Love means devotion. Think about what it means to be truly devoted to another person. This is what love is and what we should be striving for.
"Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity." Colossians 3:12-14
"Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Every one who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God because God is love. This is how God showed his love among us: He sent His one and only son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God, but if we love one another, God lives in us and His love is made complete in us." I John 4:7-12 Wow. God's perfect example of love. It's too bad that sometimes it is so hard for us to truly understand and put God's love into practice in our own lives. Also note that love is knowing God.
"This is love for God: to obey His commands. And His commands are not burdensome, for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith." I John 5:3 This is one of my favorites. It is so encouraging. Am I the only one who reads that first line and thinks "burdensome"? It's like God knew we would say that, so he put in the next part to encourage us and let us know that He is always with us, helping us to love him by obeying and growing in our faith.
What is your reaction to these verses? Do they inspire you? What do you learn or see about love in these verses? I challenge you to choose one of these verses, or one that you find on your own (please share it too!) and memorize it. Make it a sort of mantra this week and see if it makes a difference in your outlook, attitude, actions and life.
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