Are you transparent? Guess what it requires? It requires that we swallow our pride and admit that we fail, just like everyone else. Oh so true! We prefer to let people see the façade of perfection. It’s so much easier to just keep quiet and let people think that we are good little human beings. Transparency is very hard. Personally, I have become more transparent not only with myself and my struggles, but with people and most importantly with God. None of us are perfect, and I think we all know that to some degree. If we look at those around us, it may seem as if they are perfect and we are not. Believe you me, that is far from the truth! Still, it is hard to admit our sin, when it feels like we are the only ones who struggle. God commands us to be transparent, “For we all stumble in many ways,” James 3:2. (you can read more about transparency in the "Anger" section below)

ARE YOU BURNT OUT?

Well are you? Is your job so important that your mind is consumed by it? How many hours do you spend on your computer? (I am just as guilty) Who is being neglected? Is God being neglected? Is your spouse and children being neglected. How about the dog? As human beings we need to evaluate our time management. We need to come home from the office and put the work out of our minds. We need to turn that television or computer off and spend time with the family. Do not become overwhelmed with worry. God does NOT want you to do that! Leave the worrying to Him, if anything. Do Not Become Burnt Out!

ANGER/ABUSE

So, on to the wonderful topic of anger and abuse? Where does your anger stem from? Some type of abuse, sexual (childhood molestation, rape) , physical, emotional or all three? Or could it be a divorce you are experiencing, whether you are the one getting a divorce, or are a child that has physically grown up into an adult, but mentally and emotionally still carry the scars/guilt/pain of divorced parents so long ago? How about adultery, rejection, jealousy, bitterness, envy, resentment, pride, an untimely illness or death of a loved one, etc.? I can go on and on and on. Or you just don't know!!

The truth is...... anger not in its proper form, is destructive!! Until you get to the root of your anger, you will never be free from it. It will be there to haunt you. Believe you me, I still struggle with anger. I find myself at times still dealing with a lot of things from my past that tick me off literally. Seek some good Christian counseling, besides the Great Counselor (God). There is nothing wrong with seeking help to talk things out. It does help. Grant it, it can be very painful, in fact some times extremely painful, but worth it in the end, if you are truly open to getting healed from the inside out!! Also, be transparent with God and tell Him exactly how you feel. He will NOT fall off His throne when He hears what you have to say! Hey, God knows you can be real. After all He made you. Click HERE for the greatest psychologist in the world!

I thank God that I am not where I once was, but am glad where I have come from.

I also try and reflect on what Jesus said, "Be angry, and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your wrath." Ephesians 4:26 Each day we all encounter frustrations in our lives that may bring about anger which may result in things said that we should not have. "But now you must also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth." Colossians 3:8 God knows our hearts He knows our hurts and He knows what it is like to be human.

PATIENCE

Do you struggle with a lack of patience? I certainly do. Not one of my stronger points, but through patience you can learn a whole heck of a lot. That is if you are open and willing!

Patience is not just waiting for something, it is how you are behaving while you are waiting for something. There is a difference!!! A BIG difference. As I stated earlier, I do not always wait so graciously for something. I get aggravated if what I wait for does not arrive when I want it to. That is not what God wants. He wants us to depend on Him totally while we wait. Yup, very hard!!! Extremely hard, for me at least, and I am sure for some of you. But, again, it is something that I am working on daily with God.

I found that meditating on the Word of God regarding patience helps, so I would like to share with you some of the scripture verses that I use.

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law." Galatians 5:22

Pray for God to give you patience. Do not become impatient if you find the results not happening right away, believe me I am still working on it and most probably will be until my dying day. But I am getting better. That is all God can ask of us is that we do our best!

"Bear in mind that our Lord's patience means salvation..." 2Peter 3:15

How awesome that the Lord Jesus waits patiently for the last sinner to repent.

"Knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete lacking nothing." James 1:34

That verse is my favorite in regards to patience.

Obedience is a toughie. A lot of the time we want to do what we want to. It is hard to rely on God at times. If you can in your stage of your journey, listen to what God has to say to you and leap out with courage and obedience! Leave all the consequences to Him. God will have to assume full responsibility for the life that you commit to Him in obedience. Look for evidence of God's presence, His power and the fruitfulness of your obedience.
How to cultivate a Spirit of Detachment.

Ewwwww...... don't like this one. It really does hurt when it does happen doesn't it? Personally something inside me feels like it just died. Like I have been stabbed in my "feelings." My insides can be churned up so much if I don't get a hold of this stronghold. One can become physically ill and can even hold a grudge against 'someone' or 'something' that had caused the disappointment. These feeling can linger on for days, weeks and sometimes months and years if you don't take a hold of it!

Still we should not be quick to judge the conduct of the person who has disappointed us. You say "that is hard." Yes it is hard. But, before you make a decision, prayerfully seek God's will. Trust God's guidance and what He says may not be to your liking, still trust Him. He is always right! Respond in the manner that is best for the other person without accusation, embarrassment to the other person, and do not seek revenge. Look for God's higher purpose in your life. Ask God, "What are you teaching me?" "What are you doing in my life?" Make decisions based on the Holy Spirit's guidance, not on your friends opinion. Do exactly what God tells you to do. Anticipate a blessing from God in your disappointments. God will always honor your proper response to disappointment. Always remember throughout your life there will be many disappointments. Can't run from that! It is just a matter how you handle them!

ANGRY and IMPATIENT WORDS

"Hello!" Being that I have a major tendency at this moment with a lack of patience in my life, my mouth is no exception. Christianity does not exclude one from the temptations of life. This area has become a real stubling block for me. I continue to work on it daily. Some days I am more successful than others.

"Let all bitterness and indignation and wrath (passion, rage, bad temper) and resentment (anger, animosity) and quarreling (brawling, clamor, contention) and slander (evil-speaking, abusive or blasphemous language) be banished from you, with all malice (spite, ill will, or baseness of any kind.)" Ephesians 4:31

Which of the above, poses the biggest problem for you?
In my own case, I would have to say I still struggle with anger when injustice is done which then leads me to judging and gossiping.

In the book of James, there is also a good word, "Understand this, my beloved brethren. Let every man be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to take offense and to get angry." James 1:19

Of these, the most important and often the hardest is being slow to speak. Once the venom of our tongue begins to spew, other things spew along with it.

Hey, we are human, we do get upset. Try this, when you feel you are about to say something that you know you may regret. Take a deep breath, shut your mouth for a minute (60 seconds), get control of yourself and then go on with life. All along praying to the Lord to help you through this problem area.

If the Lord can do miracles, He can do miracles for us. You and I do not have to struggle with these problem areas of ours. We have the ability in the Holy Spirit to be adjustable and adaptable. "Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. Romans 12:16

If you were able to relate to some of the above and see the potential of
being "real" then congratulations!!! What an awesome thing to be.....

PLEASE SIGN GUESTBOOK

Are You Depressed?

Do you feel Suicidal

Get to know Jesus

Wissen Sie dass der Himmel ein Geschenk ist?

Some more real people:

FINALLY FREE

Beth Moore/Living Proof Ministies

James Robinson/Life Today

Joyce Meyer/Enjoying Everyday Life

© 1996 - 2009 by GGG

Revised . This site has been in existence since November 1996!!