The "Pins" of Others

                               

For I can do everything with the help of Christ who gives me the strength 

I need. Phil. 4:13  

I have strength for every situation. If you are like me, it seems the devil is waiting on every corner to confuse and abuse me. He loves to bring the power of destruction on our lives. The more we focus on what is wrong with our lives, the bigger he smiles. He roams this earth looking for people in moments of weakness so that he can devour their last bit of hope. Today's picture is the reason why I am writing this post. Surrounding this picture are pins that make you question what people are thinking when they decide to share with others. It seems that if you focus too long on the "earthly" things, you get sidetracked and take your focus off the things "above". For example, I saw a pin that said, "Oh look, my cup of care...it's empty!" When I see that, my initial reaction is, "That's right!" All of a sudden, I feel the need to start pinning such things in hopes that it will give me some sort of vengeance against someone that has treated me just exactly the way the pin describes. You may have situations in your life that you struggle with daily and you just can't understand why someone acts, thinks, talks, believes or feels a certain way. It may not line up with your ideas; but they don't have to. You see God had a purpose when He created little ole' me and you! We are not called to seek vengeance on others. God said He would take care of that in Romans 12:19.  He has no intention of letting evil have the upper hand. So you and I do not need to feel responsible for changing the outcome of someone that wrongs us. We are quick to anger, quick to react, quick to judge and quick to pin but we need to be what James says in verse 1:19, "You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry." I know what you are thinking...if only it were that easy. 

You may not realize it yet, but God is working on our behalf (yes, even those that do not live for the Lord) to change us into the very creation he intended...in His image. His image is the end result. If we can learn to love others as we want to be loved; then we won't let daily circumstances or other people's "pins" get us discouraged. I for one know that, every day that I live, I am one step closer to being with my creator, the one who wants to make my life complete. It isn't a 10 step program or quick fix book. God does not make mistakes. Since we all fall short of the glory of God, we have to rely on His amazing handiwork. Ephesians 2:10 says, "We are God's masterpiece. If God is for us, who can ever be against us?" I think the answer we seek daily is in those very words, "If God is for us, who can ever be against us?" Sure we will face people in our daily living that are determined to throw us off the train; but thanks to God's son and the blood he shed for you and for me...nothing is going to take control of us; unless we are willing to give that control away. Paul said we are "not controlled by our sinful nature; but by the Spirit of God living in you!" Wow! Paul, a Roman citizen who admitted his role in crucifying Christians suggests in Romans 8:9-11 that you and I allow Christ to live in us so that we do not live in sin. That is a pretty powerful promise that gives me a purpose to live for while I wait for the One who died for me to return and make things new.

We are all in the same boat. God provides a way to get safely to shore if we give our burdens to the Lord (Psalm 55:22). He will not leave us because He is the light of our salvation.   God rescues us every day. Imagine how often He intercedes on our behalf and supplies our needs. Philippians 4:19 reminds us that according to HIS riches, He will take care of us.   Whether we like it or not, we are all children of the one and only living God. Sometimes I act like I am a child of God and other times, I act like I am Satan's twin. I am blessed to know a God that is willing to rescue me from my own destruction. He never gives up on me no matter what evil I bring on myself or no matter how ugly my outward appearance can be. We are all part of God's family. God is our defense attorney but make no mistake, He is also our judge. So we do not need to punish others for their wrongdoings. After all, God has forgotten our sins of today and he will forget our sins of tomorrow...so it say in Hebrews 8:12. 

I leave you with one last thought. If you aren't sure why you have to endure the hard times and why the good times pass by too quickly... just "place your hand on your heart, know your alive and don't give up." You are a complete, whole person when you allow God to be the ruler and authority in in your life. Thank you Jesus for giving me a second chance everyday. I certainly need those second chances to meditate on Your word and praise You in every circumstance...even when the "pins" of life discourage me.