Just For Today Stop Controlling

Thursday December 5, 2024

Just for today I will be agreeable. I will not criticize, not find fault, and not try to improve or control anybody except myself.

Why is it easier to see where others need to improve than to see where we need to improve ourselves? Why are we irritated by the faults of others and unable to see our own?

Brothers and sisters, what if someone is caught in a sin? Then you who live by the Spirit should correct that person. Do it in a gentle way. But be careful. You could be tempted too. (Galatians 6:1 NIRV)

We all have blind spots in our character that cause us not to see the impact our words and actions have on others. We may have lived in a certain way for so long that our conscience simply ignores the effect our conduct has on others. Perhaps we live by our feelings and feel hurt and resentful when someone else’s character defects have an impact on us. This does not make others’ wrongs worse than ours or our wrongs more excusable. It tells us that we have certain habits, character defects, and harmful actions, that need to be re-shaped by God’s principles.

Love is patient. Love is kind. It does not want what belongs to others. It does not brag. It is not proud. It does not dishonor other people. It does not look out for its own interests. It does not easily become angry. It does not keep track of other people’s wrongs. Love is not happy with evil. But it is full of joy when the truth is spoken. It always protects. It always trusts. It always hopes. It never gives up. (1 Corinthians 13:4-7 NIRV)

God calls us to get rid of our character defects. He wants us to be filled with love and compassion towards others. We can safely leave others in God’s hands while we get busy on the long list of changes we need to make. When we ask Him, God will help us improve our behaviour and enable us to live agreeably with others who, like us, are less than perfect.

Prayer: Loving God, it’s so easy to get angry and criticize others. Please reveal to me any way my behaviour is not in keeping with Your principles of love and compassion. Give me the humility to stay focused on the changes I need to make and leave others in Your care. Amen

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Just For Today Stop Controlling

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