“Greater is he that is in me, than he that in in the world.” 1 John 4:4
When you are serious about heart change, sometimes God works fast.
I had just finished yesterday’s blog post, and was thinking about what Scripture says about stone throwing, overcoming evil with good, discovering the beauty in everyone…when…my mind got a snapshot of a woman who is skilled at throwing stones at me. We are not friends. But, I know who she is, and hear frequently the petty ugly things she says about me, and about others. I want to pick up a boulder and smash her…core thought. ICKY Confession!
I logged into facebook right after finishing the blog. And on the right side of the screen it was suggesting people I might know. Lo and Behold there was her smiling face, with the words ” add as a friend” This was so random. Her face has never been on my facebook before. How did that happen? I quickly realized it wasn’t random, but was God nudging my heart towards being open to a woman who has hurt me repeatedly with her aloof presence, her unkind words, and her arrogant attitudes.
My mind raced with “NO!!!” Then I remembered what I had just written and more importantly the truth that God is presently writing on my heart. I didn’t put in a friend request, but I did begin the prayer…Lord, I think I need a Core-Makeover. This makeover included moving me, breaking me, and changing me into the kind of woman who would love, even when not loved back. The kind of woman who will not throw stones even when they are flying at her.
Today’s Truth: Psalm 19:12-14 TLB Provers 12:25 TLB
“How can I ever know what sins are lurking in my heart? Cleanse me from these hidden faults. And keep me from deliberate wrongs; help me to stop doing them. Only then can I be free of guild and innocent of some great crime. May my spoken words and unspoken thoughts be pleasing even to ou, O Lord my Rock and my Redeemer.”
” A word of encouragement does wonders!”
The strategy to quit being critical and lay down the stones?
- Make sure you are connecting with God each day and are focused on some portion of His word. If this is a critical season for you, be armed with verses that clearly instruct you away from being critical. Ask God daily to soften your heart with His Word.
- Pray for the person who is your “target” ( isn’t it sad that Christians have targets? But we do, it’s true and its not right, that’s true too) As hard as it is, pray for that person. If you spent as much time praying for the things you see rather than talking about them, you would see God work in big ways in them and you!
- When in a conversation and it turns into criticism about someone, recall what God’s word says about criticism and then interject something positive.This might catch people off guard but can stop negative comments immediately.
- When you find that one person is the focus of your criticism try fasting from finding any fault towards them for a day, and look for the good and focus on that in them.
- Surround yourself with praise. Not compliments…but praise music. Listen to worship music and let the words of worship rising to God fill your soul and redirect your attention.
I had no idea that this entire week’s devotional would stay on the same subject. But, I will tell you one thing it did confirm for me. …When we stay with a theme, a subject, the truth in one area for awhile…it has time to change us, convict us, and move us to repentance. When we just blow and go through God’s word we often don’t digest enough to see transformation in our practical lives.
Regarding criticism, remember that you will not get over this over night. Being critical and pointing the finger at others is part of our human flesh nature. It will come up throughout life. When someone gets us the wrong way…we will undoubtedly default to criticisms. But, to be aware that it’s the flesh and not God’s best for us, is the first step of defense. To have God’s word in our heart is the step towards victory.
Today’s Prayer
Lord, I am so grateful for your love, forgiveness and grace. Being a human is so complex. Thanks for understanding that. And, thank you for being the greater power over that. I need you Jesus. And, I want to please you in this area of my life.
