Choose Peace
Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and always to be gentle toward everyone.—Titus 3:1–2 (NIV)
For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are.—HEBREWS 4:15 NIV
Sometimes the frustrations of caregiving anger us. The medical equipment our loved one depends on isn’t working right. The staff at the medical facility seems irresponsible and uncaring. Our patient whines.
Feeling angry is normal. But it’s possible to express our anger in unproductive ways. We lose our temper. We storm around the house and say words that would be better left unsaid. Then we feel ashamed.
It’s easy to condemn ourselves and feel that because we blew it we can’t go to God—even though we need Him desperately.
Know what? Jesus sympathizes with our weakness. He understands our failings. His love is deeper than our failure, and He is able and willing to stand in our place before God, to take the punishment for our sin, and to make us right with the Father.
Don’t waste time berating yourself, evading God because you don’t feel worthy to approach Him. Wallowing in guilt can be a form of self-righteousness—and we can’t approach God with even a trace of that.
Jesus is the reason we can go to God. He understands and forgives. Hurry back to God!
God, I am so sorry for my sin. Please forgive me. I have no righteousness of my own, but Your Son, Jesus, offers me His. I thank You so much.
Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and always to be gentle toward everyone.—Titus 3:1–2 (NIV)
As they make music they will sing, “All my fountains are in you.”—Psalm 87:7 (NIV)
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.—Ephesians 6:10 (NIV)