Grumpy

This is Steve and welcome to another segment of Press On.

Over the last 2 years with the pandemic, and lockdowns relationships have decoupled and attitudes have soured whether there is an intentionally to this time will tell. 

So lets you and I set a goal for 2022

How about this one... our attitudes.

This is called GRUMPY

I remember a friend of the family once telling the story of how she walked into a Christian bookstore and the person working there was grumpy and course. Her next words stuck with me...she said “yeah, she must be a Christian.” Ouch!

You’d think it would be just the opposite...

The apostle Paul records this in his letter to the church in Philippi found in chapter 4

Philippians 4:5

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!

Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.

Paul in his letter to the Philippians strongly encourages his readers that they are to “rejoice in the Lord.” Then he instructs his fellow believers to “let your gentleness be evident to all.” What’s the difference between the two?

Joy, is an inner quality that generally remains constant regardless of circumstances...but may not always be visible. Gentleness on the other hand is an outward quality. It is a forbearance and non retaliatory reaction to others.  Whether in gentleness or harshness it will be noticed...it leaves a mark either way.

Ok, before we go any further let me say...”guilty.” I once considered myself a gentle man. As I’ve gotten older and life (others) has worn me down or out...my fore-bearing reaction to others. 

Faith in Christ is not a magic potion it is transformative in nature it works over a lifetime

...it begins first by acknowledgement of our short coming. As Jesus proclaimed in the sermon on the mount Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

They understand their short coming and grieve it.

There is much more to this story but for today think about this:

Joy is like the steady creek whose waters runs constantly and gentleness is the outward sounds that it produces. For all those who are near, they are pleasing to the soul. At the headwaters of it all is the acknowledgement that we need call on the one who can transform our hearts.

Today, your response to others will, leave a mark on someones heart the question is one of gentleness or a grumpy bookstore clerk.

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