Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye. (Matthew 7:5)
Some people push our buttons – they have a tendency to make our lives difficult and seem to always say the wrong thing at the wrong time.
It may seem easiest to cut ties with a button pusher and move on, but is that the right answer?
During this season of Lent we have the opportunity to reflect on what God really wants to do through us to help deal with difficult people in our lives.
Prayer coupled with fasting is a great way to draw on God’s strength in a more focused way. It can help us expand our horizon to see not only the faults of others, but also of ourselves.
Fasting is a spiritual discipline, a voluntary act of abstaining from food or denying other normal functions for a period of time. The Bible offers various examples of fasting that can still be beneficial today.
One of the easiest, most effective ways to ease into fasting is to start with a partial fast. Based on Daniel 1:12 and Matthew 3:4, this consists of eating smaller portions of mostly fruits and vegetables, skipping meals, or abstaining from meat. It is not strict but provides the needed discipline.
Fasting is one way to help you change and grow into Christ’s likeness. I invite you to make it your purpose to recognize the plank in your eye and then help others with the splinter in theirs.
Prayer Point: It is important to remember that spiritual benefit is gained when we spend more time in prayer and reflection.
For more on this topic, watch Peola’s video Who’s Pushing Your Buttons and listen to her Blog Talk Radio program The Prayer Journey.
God bless you!
