IN ORDER TO RECEIVE GOD’S BLESSINGS, WE HAVE TO MAKE SOME CHANGES

BIBLE PASSAGE:
Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. 
On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because 
to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. 
(1 Peter 3:9)

MEDITATION:
Have you ever gotten into a situation you wish you had avoided?
Sometimes we allow our natural inclinations and emotions to take control, 
instead of taking a deep breath and practicing patience.
As a result, 
we can find ourselves in a ‘tit for tat’ battle that seems endless.

Our earthly reactions beat our spiritual reactions to the surface 
whenever we have drifted away from the Lord and His guidance.
The scriptures tell us that when this happens, 
we cause ourselves to miss out on His personal blessings for us.

Does that mean we never get mad or upset?
Does that mean it is easy to be nice 
whenever someone ‘jerks our chain’, or ‘gets on our last nerve’?

Of course not, but we discover that the closer we are to the Lord, 
the easier it becomes to harness our anger 
and react in a kind (and unusual) manner.
The scriptures tell us how to throw cold water 
on a potentially volatile situation, instead of escalating it.
A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. 
(Proverbs 15:1)

ACTION:
When reading the Bible, we find that it is filled with a lot 
of instructions which encourage us to squelch our natural emotions, 
and respond in a manner that identifies us as Christians.
And when we do, we discover new blessings for ourselves.
 
Sometimes we can evaluate our ‘closeness’ with the Lord 
by how we react to unpleasant situations.
We can also assess our spiritual condition by our obedience to 
the commands for those who claim to know the Lord as their Savior.

We have to be honest and admit that some of the instructions for believers
do not make a lot of sense on the surface, but when we practice them, 
we discover God’s Word is true, and we receive His blessings.

A couple of examples:
Respond in a kind manner to insults and receive blessings from the Lord 
(including the avoidance of increased conflict, 
which can cause loss of sleep and potential health problems).
Return to the Lord His tithes and offerings 
and discover we are blessed by being able to do more with less.

Pray,
“Heavenly Father, forgive me for the times I have allowed my natural 
reactions to control my responses. Help me to live closer to You so 
that Your Holy Spirit will be in control of my emotions and how I 
interact with others who are being unkind. Teach me to be more like 
Your Son, Jesus, so that I can enjoy additional blessings You have for 
me. Thank You, Jesus, for setting the example for me to follow.”

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