This morning I read this in the Message Bible and just loved it!
1 Peter 4:1-2
Since Jesus went through everything you're going through and more,
learn to think like him.
Think of your sufferings as a weaning from that old sinful habit
of always expecting to get your own way.
Then you'll be able to live out your days free to pursue
what God wants instead of being tyrannized by what you want.
How cool is that?
"learn to think like Him..."
How easy is it to focus on how unfairly we are treated and fall into a -poor me- mentality?
God's Word blows that out of the water and right onto our lap.
Who says life is fair?
Jesus never did.
There is freedom in seeing that Jesus was mistreated and we will be too.
When we let that unfairness be a 'weaning of self' to us, and it will set us free!
It's much better than being "tyrannized by what we want."
I'm just saying...
Sue
Friday, January 11, 2008
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29 comments:
"tyrannized by what you want"--this bondage I know well! May I no longer live, but Christ...
Your just saying... what I needed to hear this morning. I oh to often let that mentality of life is not fair seep from my wounded and self consumed heart instead of thinking like Him, thank you so much for this encouragement in the word this morning!
Praising Him with a good cup of coffee this morning!!
JOYfully in Him,
Kelli
Such a great reminder. I tell my kids all the time that life isn't always fair--maybe I should remember that myself sometimes!
Wow, what a good message. Too often we just want to wallow in self pity, ranting about being persecuted.
Thanks for the great reminder.
My load has been heavy lately and I needed that word. Your blog is always so uplifting!
First time visitor here. Great words. We just had the same discussion at lunch about life and always wanting more. I am in the process of simplifying my life and doing without. I am finding more joy with each passing joy. My stress is melting away and I have renewed energy. Great blog.
Sue, very timely post! I think I will have my husband read it later! It would encourage him too!
Wow -- very very very good post! Thank you so much. Definitely a way we should all be thinking!
~melody~
ooooooh that was good. Thanks Sue.
That was definately worth posting about and chewing on!
Hugs~
Fran
As usual, your post touched a tender spot in my soul. What's fair is an eternity in hell. What's fair is everlasting bondage to my sin. Praise God for His mercy and grace so that I don't get "what's fair".
Catching up on all your great posts, Sue! Inspiring and motivating!
Whenever I say something is not fair, my husband says, "Fair (fare) is what you pay to ride the bus." Oh yeah. I forgot God didn't guarantee the rose garden but He did guarantee he'd be with us no matter what...
Best wishes,
Lisa
Wow... Lisa Writes and I both heard the "tyrannized by what you want" louder than the rest of hte post! What a great line. And one that I'm going to be pondering for a long time. Thanks so much for a GREAT post, Sue! You're a wonderfully inspiring writer. c",)
What a GREAT Friday post. I daily (who am I kidding...often it's minute..by minute) need to remind myself that it's NOT about me!!!
What a great message! I've heard many believers criticize the Message Bible, and I just don't get their thinking. It doesn't distort God's Word, it just brings it into a modern day focus.
That particular Word was a good one for something I'm dealing with right now, so very timely for me. :-)
I remember when I first realized that life is not fair. Now my children are discovering this truth.
I am so glad you addressed this...self pity unfortunately doesn't only affect "self". I have seen whole families sucked in and destroyed by ONE with self pity. Great post!
Thanks for encouraging me.
I came across your blog last night from someone elses, but I can't remember whose it was. My comment has to do with another post that you wrote, but I can't find it, and couldn't pass up responding to it.
The post was how you guys go through coffee makers. I was thinking to myself "I wonder why? I've never had to buy a new one." I have a Hamilton Beach BrewMaster. I was even going to tell you about it, and how good it was. Well, about an hour later I made some coffee. When I went to wash it out, the handle inside cracked, so now I need a new one. I couldn't believe it, lol.
Love this. Weaning is defintely something I need in several areas of my life. Thanks for sharing His word!
Blessings,
Linda
Diane,
That is so funny!
I'm not sure when I talked about coffee makers, but we've been doing pretty good with our current Bunn Coffee maker so far!
Sue
Give me the mind of Christ, Lord! Amen!
Heather
In December 2006 I supported my sister throughout a court battle. Long story short... things went terrible for my sister and she was actually mocked by a Judge for her morals,faith, etc.
I walked away knowing that we may never see justice in our courts but also had a peace knowing that this outcome didn't change who God was or is. Here we are 2 years later and her circumstances have not changed but what an incredible testimony of faith,trust, grace, and forgiveness she has. Roxanne actually has just written a post on it - some of you may be very encouraged by it.
roxannesopenhouse.blogspot.com
Very very good and what I needed to hear! We should want what HE wants and think like HE thinks. May I do that more!!!
Debbie Wankel
Tyrannized by what we want. How true, and yet how often I fail to see that. Sin is a horrible master. Praising God for a wonderful Saviour.
Just saying?
Ah....such freedom in those words! Without GRACE where would I be?
Love this post!
Love you too!
Yes, I agree. I think a lot of people think that everything in thier lives should go well. The times in my life when things weren't going well have been when I felt closet to God.
Amen to what you said Sue
Due to past and present circumstances, I sometimes find myself falling into the "Life's not fair" frame of mind. But then I am reminded that His ways are not my ways and that His timing (no matter how impatient I am) is always right.
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