Wow, so how quickly we can "cop an attitude", and so early in the morning at that! Having 3 girls in the house, ages 9-12 on top of me, myself and I, we can have an abundance of bad "tudes" to deal with! Hubby waking up at 5 AM to find 2 little girls already up and one looking for breakfast; someone putting an item where it doesn't belong so it can't be found when needed; the sister sitting next to you eating breakfast with too many "noises"; sharing a bathroom; not getting enough "me" time before everyone else wakes up; a child talking to me while I'm trying to read something in my Bible; eating pancakes with the only syrup that's left and it has Splenda in it and leaves a gross aftertaste you can't get rid of; cracker crumbs on the rug from the night before; the child who ALWAYS takes forever to do ANYTHING; hubby (and then wifey) searching drawers, fridge and cupboards frustrated cause he can't find his milk container to take with his breakfast ( it's still in the fridge at the office...oops); the coffee in my cup is lukewarm; and WHY are there so many dirty cups and bowls on the counter from just last night? Oh, and Joyce Meyer is on TV telling me that I should be living a victorious life. And that's all before 7:45 AM, so good morning to you all and have a blessed day...:D
Now really...although no harsh words were spoken this morning (and no one got hurt), that little feeling of irritation was creeping in threatening to ruin our day if we chose to give in. We can have attitudes (good and bad) based on what we have come to believe to be the "right way" of doing things. When others don't measure up, watch out. WE must all own our own attitudes. WE are the only one responsible for them. They fall within our property lines - our boundaries. We have attitudes and beliefs left over from how we were raised in our family of origin, or how we ourselves have simply gotten used to doing things when we should be renewing our minds to God's way of doing things and putting on God's character and habits. Jesus referred to this in Mark 7:9 when He said, "You have a fine way of rejecting the commandment of God in order to keep your tradition (your own human regulations)." and Matthew 15:3 "He replied to them, And also do you transgress and violate the commandment of God for the sake of the rules handed down to you by your forefathers?" During the course of the day, these little things may not be that big of a deal, but if we don't learn how to set limits and take responsibility in the little things, eventually bigger situations and our relationships with people in life will be affected. We have to learn a new way of doing things. God's way.
Proverbs continually tells us that setting limits and taking responsibility will save lives. Proverbs 13:18 "Poverty and shame come to him who refuses instruction and correction, but he who heeds reproof is honored." vs. 24 says "He who spares his rod (of discipline) hates his son, but he who loves him disciplines diligently and punishes him early." Thankfully, it's never to late to learn.
Our behaviors and choices are our responsibility and come with consequences. Some small, some big, some very damaging that eventually affect our lives in ways we would never choose.
Galations 5:23 tells us of the fruit of the spirit that should be working in our lives through Jesus in us. That fruit is LOVE and that love is displayed with joy (gladness) , peace, patience (an even temper), kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness (humility) and self-control (self-restraint).
Galations 6: 7-8 tells us that "we will reap what we sow", but when boundaries are confused and not set properly and firmly, too many times, we allow ourselves to reap the consequences (pain or hurt) of what someone else has sown by their actions and words. One person is irresponsible and happy and the other is responsible and unhappy. If you really love someone, you will let them feel consequences so that they can hopefully learn a better way. When we don't, it can end up with us being resentful and our relationships become and stay unhealthy. When we do set limits with others and take responsibility for ourselves we will be so much happier and live that victorious, abundant, blessed life that God promised us.
If we are really brave, we will take time to get quiet before God, and read all of Galations Chapter 6 and let Him show us what needs to be done differently in our lives and in the way we relate to those around us.
Oh, and by the way.....I can STILL taste the Splenda and the coffee in my cup is COLD.....;)
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