Are You Willing?

This can be a loaded question for multiple reasons, so let's break it down into bite size nuggets so that we can chew on it for a while. As Mary Shannon Ministries says in her Daniel Bible study, when we chew on the Bible we want to extract as much knowledge and wisdom we can out of it. Just as a dog will chew on a bone until it gets every bit of the marrow out of the bone, we want to do the same with the Bible.

Romans 12:1-2 NIV

"Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God - this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is - his good, pleasing and perfect will."

After our last week's Kings Table podcast discussion about the chapter "Grace" in Priscilla Shirer's book Resolutions we talked about passive aggressive behaviors and discussed how silence can be a form of passive aggressiveness. I wasn't sure I agreed with that statement 100% and my reasoning was because when you are dealing with a narcissistic person what you say can be twisted and taken out of context to be used against you so at times it seems best that you would choose silence. So, I asked the ladies "how do we protect ourselves against narcissistic people?" and my mentor said, "Are you willing to remove the title and see this person as God sees them, are you willing to love them as God loves them?" WOW did that speak volumes to me....so I've been contemplating her words and asking God to reveal His wisdom to me.

During my devotion this week God revealed that He is going to put me in difficult and uncomfortable situations for multiple reasons:

1. To train my tongue

2. For me to see and love people as God sees and loves them

I learned that God cannot correct or train my tongue unless I am put in situations where I have to practice holding it. Hmmm, think about that for a moment.

How many times has God tried to train you to hold your tongue? Think back to a time when someone said something that offended you or perhaps you read a social media post that you didn't like, and you wanted to respond but sensed God was telling you not to? We must remember that not every social media post or comment needs a response from us.

Knowing when to hold your tongue is a sign of spiritual maturity because you allow God to guide and direct your steps. That is where His indescribable peace comes into your life because you allow Him to be your vindicator. You don't allow the actions of others to upset you. Boy can I be honest for a moment because God speaking to me right now in that statement, how about you?

James 3 is all about taming the tongue, I encourage you to read entire chapter. v10 says "Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be."

Psalm 32:8 NIV

"I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you."

Questions for you to ponder today are:

1. Are you willing to allow God's Word to transform and renew your heart and mind?

2. Are you willing to remove labels that you've placed on yourself or others?

3. Are you willing to see yourself and others as God sees you?

4. Are you willing to love yourself and others as He loves you?

5. Are you willing to hold your tongue and let God be your vindicator?

6. Are you willing to give God free rein in your life so He can direct and guide you?

I hope you will take some time today and in the coming week to pray and contemplate the questions above. Allow God to open and transform your heart so that you can hear the Holy Spirit speaking to you.

If you are willing to give God free rein in your life, pay attention to where He leads you. I hope you will share your journey and how God is revealing Himself to you!

Written by: Jill Theriault

Crossroads Coaching - @crossroadscoachingongodstime