Sometimes, when we are so used to seeing someone being strong and put together, we forget that all of us go through very difficult seasons of life, seasons of grief, trauma heartache and despair. We forget that life can be a journey of dark and desolate paths where we may need the love, support and encouragement of fellow believers to help us stand in faith. We are one body called to unity, love and peace. We are called to encourage one another and build each other up.
One of the reasons I practice “the pause,” in a situation where I may feel wronged or would like to air a grievance with someone is so that I may take time to pray. When I pray, I wait before proceeding. It is very important to always listen and wait for the response. Sometimes the Holy Spirit will tell us to STOP, and NOT to proceed or possibly to proceed with caution. God knows the state of the person to whom you wish to voice a concern, even though you do not. He will keep you from adding “fuel to the fire.” He will guide you to let your concern go for the time being or just not say anything at all. I have failed at this many times in the past as I am sure we all have. We want to address something and get it off our chest to relieve our own heart and mind. That can be healthy for relationships when done biblically, with grace, love and kindness while being led by the Spirit. Learning to get past are immediate need for a resolution requires dying to our flesh, always praying first, and acting out of obedience to the Lord’s direction. This means we may not receive immediate satisfaction. Yet, we may have saved a relationship or kept a friend from being wounded or discouraged more than they already were. Whenever I have paused, prayed and allowed the Holy Spirit to direct my actions, it has always turned out well, always! It brings a sense of complete peace. In fact, more times than not, I never had to do or say anything and God still worked it all out for the good and for His glory!
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28
That is the God we serve. He always knows what is best for all of His children. He sees the end from the beginning. He desires for us to live in peace with one another and to love each other well. We must trust His infinite wisdom over our need for control or immediate satisfaction.We are all flawed human beings who will fail each other. That is precisely why we need the Lord, our Savior, our Redeemer and His perfect guidance. He will not fail us. He is faithful when we are not. He is good when we are not. He is strong, mighty and powerful when we are weak, weary, and disillusioned. I am so thankful that we serve a God, who loves us even when we are not so lovable, when we allow our flesh to get in the way.
You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. Galatians 5:13-18 (Emphasis mine)
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23
Let us do our best to pause, pray, walk in obedience, and encourage and love one another well. This is the way of peace. This is the way of Christ. Therefore, encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.1 Thessalonians 5:11 NIV
Father God,
You are so loving, kind and merciful! Thank You for loving us even though we fail You every day! Please forgive us for wanting to be in control, for rushing ahead of You. Please forgive us for not praying before acting. Help us to seek You first in all things. Help us to walk by Your Spirit and not according to our flesh. Please help us to think of others before ourselves. Help us to love others well and let go of things that are not important. Help us to keep our minds set on things above and not on earthly things. Help us to grow and mature in our walk with You. May Your Spirit guide and strengthen us to be peacemakers. Help us to shine Your light into this dark world so that others will see You through us. May our lives be true and proper worship unto You. Help us to be kind, gentle, full of joy and overflowing with peace. Create in each of us a pure heart and a right spirit within us. Father, we love You and we desire to honor You in all that we say and do. Please continue to walk with us and show us the error of our ways. Lead us in the paths of righteousness, our Rock and our Redeemer. We give You all the praise! In Jesus’ Mighty Name, Amen and Amen!
Written by Lanette Black
IWM Writer and Intercessor
