I often get caught up in the "making a good impression" mode which, for me, borders on the nervous wreck mode. It really is crazy. My peace is so much more evident when I'm not worried about people's opinions and remain focused on God's plans.
We often superimpose our impression on others, when what we think or believe is either wrong or not for everyone else. For example, if I meet someone for the first time and they are having a bad day, it is my choice whether to give them the benefit of the doubt and hope our next interaction is more friendly. OR, my personality may incline me to arrive 5 minutes early to an appointment, while my friend often is 15 minutes late. Should I be angry at her, ditch the friendship or change my thought process? Accepting each other, we work together to find a solution that works for us - I plan to arrive 10 minutes later. I'm OK with that.
My belief system, as a follower of Jesus, challenges me to forgive quickly, accept readily, and love freely. Often, my belief's are far more challenged by my co-believers than those from other belief systems. For some reason, we (believers) often distort the truth to "bash" those who are different, or those who are not meeting our expectations. Like our country's government, we create policies and requirements rather than relationships. The laugh is we are putting so many expectations on others that we are driving each other batty!
In a conversation recently with my very best friend, I found myself saying, "I want to simply accept people and be accepted." I'm so tired of allowing myself to respond to people's opinions of how I should work, how I should look, how best to lose weight, how best to dress, how to behave, etc. I'm approaching 50, and finding myself to be more free in many areas, but also finding I still feel pressure from other's expectations to create a nice, orderly (not too real) relationship.
On the other hand, I find myself trying to fix others, too. It is a sickness, I think. A fast spreading virus spiraling out of control! It is going to take much prayer, releasing control, and erasing previous programming, but I hope to rid myself of this disease someday.
Obviously, if you are raising children, there is age appropriate instruction that should be made.....but, we aren't supposed to apply the same principles to our husbands or partners and friends by always trying to be ridiculously helpful to each other. My disease is borne from my inbred belief that most people simply want me around to provide some sort of benefit. Therefore, I must meet their need. I offer some valuable piece of information or try to do something for them, whether or not they really need it. It's a terrible, terrible disease.
I am not God, and thank God, He is!
Challenge for today: The LORD makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him; (Psalm 37:23)......delight in the Lord today, even for just a moment, by singing a song to him or meditating on His love for you. For me, it makes a difference on how I judge or love others. The more I remember Him, the less I find fault with or condemn others. This doesn't mean I ignore conflict, it simply helps me to release blame and work to resolve the issue rather than point fingers. It's ok to be who God created us to be, even if it makes others uncomfortable. AND....I'll stop being uncomfortable with those who are different....;)
Like-minded DOES NOT equal clone.
We often superimpose our impression on others, when what we think or believe is either wrong or not for everyone else. For example, if I meet someone for the first time and they are having a bad day, it is my choice whether to give them the benefit of the doubt and hope our next interaction is more friendly. OR, my personality may incline me to arrive 5 minutes early to an appointment, while my friend often is 15 minutes late. Should I be angry at her, ditch the friendship or change my thought process? Accepting each other, we work together to find a solution that works for us - I plan to arrive 10 minutes later. I'm OK with that.
My belief system, as a follower of Jesus, challenges me to forgive quickly, accept readily, and love freely. Often, my belief's are far more challenged by my co-believers than those from other belief systems. For some reason, we (believers) often distort the truth to "bash" those who are different, or those who are not meeting our expectations. Like our country's government, we create policies and requirements rather than relationships. The laugh is we are putting so many expectations on others that we are driving each other batty!
In a conversation recently with my very best friend, I found myself saying, "I want to simply accept people and be accepted." I'm so tired of allowing myself to respond to people's opinions of how I should work, how I should look, how best to lose weight, how best to dress, how to behave, etc. I'm approaching 50, and finding myself to be more free in many areas, but also finding I still feel pressure from other's expectations to create a nice, orderly (not too real) relationship.
On the other hand, I find myself trying to fix others, too. It is a sickness, I think. A fast spreading virus spiraling out of control! It is going to take much prayer, releasing control, and erasing previous programming, but I hope to rid myself of this disease someday.
Obviously, if you are raising children, there is age appropriate instruction that should be made.....but, we aren't supposed to apply the same principles to our husbands or partners and friends by always trying to be ridiculously helpful to each other. My disease is borne from my inbred belief that most people simply want me around to provide some sort of benefit. Therefore, I must meet their need. I offer some valuable piece of information or try to do something for them, whether or not they really need it. It's a terrible, terrible disease.
I am not God, and thank God, He is!
Challenge for today: The LORD makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him; (Psalm 37:23)......delight in the Lord today, even for just a moment, by singing a song to him or meditating on His love for you. For me, it makes a difference on how I judge or love others. The more I remember Him, the less I find fault with or condemn others. This doesn't mean I ignore conflict, it simply helps me to release blame and work to resolve the issue rather than point fingers. It's ok to be who God created us to be, even if it makes others uncomfortable. AND....I'll stop being uncomfortable with those who are different....;)
Like-minded DOES NOT equal clone.
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