Hey friends!! How is everyone? No really. How are YOU? This is the time of year that things start getting…stressful. So let’s get ahead of it. I know, I know. Easier said than done but listen! Knowing what you are up against is half the battle, right? And sometimes when we get stressed, we get ornery. And that’s not nice. “Be Kind” is a phrase we hear a lot these days. So, let’s talk about it.
Almost every.single.week, I mention the fact that “we are human”. I want to start by saying that even though we ARE human, that never excuses bad behavior. By saying, “we are human” what I am really saying is we live in a fallen world. Sin is inevitable but yet not excusable. We should always strive to do better. Growing up, people had bracelets that said, “What would Jesus do?” And honestly, that’s a perfect question in every situation.
But have you ever thought about how you live impacts others? Let me explain. Most of you reading this are Christians. I would speculate at least 50% of those reading this outwardly profess your christian faith to others when you have an opportunity. WHICH IS GREAT! But what happens when you have a bad day? It could be something fairly simple like…being stressed out over the holidays. You are on edge and then BAM! You snap at someone. And someone sees this one single moment and immediately judges your faith.
You see, people think that just because we are christians it suddenly means we are better. And, many get that idea because some Christians believe they are better because they were saved by grace. Listen, I thank God every single day for Him. I thank Him for sending His son. I LOVE MY FAITH. It brings me more peace than I can describe in words. But I fail Him everyday. I sin every single day. I need God’s grace every single day and I don’t deserve it.
And listen, I know we, as Christians, want what is best for people. And we know that being a Christian is what is best, right? I think we are all on the same page here. But there is a fine line with leading people to Christ and making them feel judged. No one likes the feeling of, “I’m doing something wrong.” But in your mind, they are wrong. So, you see where non-believers hesitate to come to church or to have a conversation about religion with you?
As Christians, there was a time you were a non-believer. Some of you were kids when you accepted Christ and others it was later. But prior to accepting Christ, we were obsessed with our sins. Just because we are now obsessed with Him doesn’t mean we don’t mess up, right? God gives us grace and forgives us for our sins! So, it’s time you extend that same grace to others. I’m talking about the non-believer to the crabby cashier. Showing grace is so much easier than explaining why you got flustered because “you’re just human.” AND, by you showing grace, how does that impact them and their potential walk with the Lord? How many opportunities is missed because of attitudes?
You see the circle I’m making here?
“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9. If God can extend that kind of grace to me, then you KNOW He can extend that grace to anyone. In fact, He sent His son to spend time with those who felt and were lost. He spent time with people who had nasty infectious diseases that were “incurable”. He spent time with people who openly and secretly betrayed him. Why? God’s grace….and love.
So the phrase “be kind” is really just that simple. But I feel like if you are Christian, there is an added layer there. You are a leader whether you see yourself as one or not. On a normal day, people make quick assessments about you whether you like it or not. Are you approachable? Are you happy, sad, mad, etc? This is human nature. If you are stressed and being ugly, I’m not so sure you will “attract flies with that honey” as my momma would say. Don’t allow your second of stressful ugliness, impact someone else’s salvation.
Love you all,
Jennifer
As I was scrolling through Pinterest for inspiration for this week’s meals, I came across a prayer someone had pinned called the “I Don’t Know Prayer”. It goes like this: “You just go somewhere quiet and you sit at the feet of God and you say, ‘I don’t know. I don’t know where to go from here. I don’t know what is happening. I don’t know how to process this. I don’t know what to do with these emotions. I don’t know how to handle this situation’. And then with whatever little grain of faith you have, you say, ’but You know.’ And you leave it there. God most certainly hears your prayer. Declare Amen.”