FOCUS ON AND HOPE FOR GOOD
Carey Mading
Today's Scripture: “Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels. And the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness.” 2 Timothy 2:23-25a, ESV
Theme: Our focus should be on unity and gentleness rather than issues that divide us.
FRUSTRATING JOYS
Mike and I just had four grandchildren with us for a week. This entails home-schooling plus all the other duties that come along with young guests: innumerable loads of laundry, constant meals and cleanup, and bedtimes. Halloween also took place during our watch. As we were discussing our day, Mike made a pronouncement. “We will try to be less grumpy if you try to help us pick up. The clutter is making me crazy!”
The mess and the bickering can be irritating. The snuggles and giggles are amazing. Both come along with having them here. Which do you think outweighs the other?
EVERY....SINGLE.... RELATIONSHIP
This dichotomy of pain and pleasure, joy and irritation occurs in every relationship you have. You may love your spouse and overlook the things that irritate you. It is just as common for a spouse to be obsessed with the hard parts of the marriage or their spouse’s personality and choose to forget the love and loyalty that dominated the early days of the union. Every time, it is a choice of what issues you choose to focus on.
POLITICAL TENSIONS
The same principle applies to politics and politicians. There are good and bad attributes to all the candidates. These influence your choices and mine when it comes to voting. However, after the election, the choice is once again yours. Focus on the issues with which you agree, the personality traits that you like, the good things that will come with this particular President, Governor, or official. Focus on “whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise” and “think about these things” (Philippians 4:8, ESV). Take captive the negative thoughts and the slanderous speech that the world partakes in.
Make It Personal: Will you be able to focus on the possibility of good change, no matter which candidate has won? I can think of several issues I liked in both platforms. I can also think of things I disliked. Can I challenge you to embrace the good and release the anger? Begin to pray for our new President and other officials. Trust that God can lead them and our country without our angry comments, tweets, postings, and arguments.
Pray: Lord, I want to follow You and focus on Your Kingdom, Your Will, and Your leadership. Help me to take captive the angry or anxious thoughts. Spirit, give me hope and comfort. Give me self-control in my thought life and in what I share with others. I love You, first and foremost. I choose to live as a citizen of heaven and a follower of You, Jesus! In Your Name I pray, Amen.
Read: Philippians 4:7-9; 2 Corinthians 10:4-5; Isaiah 26:3
Weekly Memory Verse: “They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.” John 17:16-17, ESV