Getting along with sandpaper people requires a new point of view, seeing them as God sees them. We cannot base love on feelings, but on God's love released by choices we make in dealing with sandpaper people. ·
Choose love. Ephesians 2:10 "We are God's workmanship." (NIV)
The artist came to the park every day when the light was just right, positioning his easel and paints under the same familiar shade tree. For hours, he watched people strolling by, searching for just the right face to paint. A beggar sitting across the path caught his eye. Thinking of God's handiwork in every human being, the artist resolved to paint the man as he imagined he could be. With the last stroke, the artist breathed a sigh of satisfaction. It was done. And it was some of his best work. The artist then called the beggar over to see the painting.
"Is that me?' the beggar asked. "That is the "you" I see!" replied the artist. The beggar stared at the painting, and with tears in his eyes, softly spoke, "If that's the man you see in me, then that's the man I shall be!" Sandpaper people desperately need someone who will look beyond their abrasive behavior to recognize their worth. Sandpaper people have allowed someone or something to assign an identity to them that is false. As a result, they live a life they were never intended to live, bound to an unhealthy self-image, having no concept of who they really are or what they can become. Desperate to fit in, they try on different identities like trying on new clothes, wondering why none of them fit.
Sandpaper people fail to understand that their identity was established before the world began, in the heart and mind of God. That's where we come in. When we make the deliberate choice to love a sandpaper person, we are inviting God to work in us and through us to bring about change; to create His image in us so we can then see His image in others. Difficult relationships find it hard to survive in an atmosphere of love because stubborn wills yield to love as the worth of a soul is recognized and valued. ·
Choose encouragement. 1 Thessalonians 5:11 "Encourage one another." (NIV) If you want to disarm a sandpaper person, become their cheerleader! By focusing on their good points, your perspective of that person will change. Other people's perspective of that person will change and even that person's own perspective will change. Maybe that's all your sandpaper person needs. · Choose thankfulness. Philippians 4: 6b "Always be thankful, for this is God's will." (NIV)
Right now, begin thanking God for allowing you to experience pain at the hand of a sandpaper person. Praise Him for the shattered dreams and crushed hopes that have come as the result of a difficult relationship.
Trust Him to take what the enemy meant for bad and use it for good in your life. If you want to experience victory in your most difficult relationships, thank God for each and every one. Sandpaper people are not only a reality of life, but opportunities from the heart of God. God uses difficult relationships in my life as catalysts through which He lovingly upsets my comfortable plans and purposefully redirects my safe and sound steps. Every relationship, difficult or easy, is wrapped in God's love, faithfully delivered with His permission and wrapped in His plan.
The world is watching, as is every sandpaper person in our lives, pushing every limit to see how we will respond. It is through these difficult relationships that we grow and mature in Christ.
The rough edges fall away
as we welcome the lessons sandpaper people bring.
Let's Pray Father, ________________ is driving me crazy! I know I am supposed to love like You love, but it is just so hard. I have tried changing, ignoring and sometimes anger over takes me. Forgive me Father. Give me the right heart attitude to encourage, I thank You for allowing there presence in my life.
Help me to love as You love me.
In Jesus' name,
Amen.
Here are a couple of questions?
What name came to mind when a "sandpaper person" was first mentioned ?
Why did that name come to mind?
What has been the response to this person?
Did it work? Did the situation get better?
Now a couple of things that can set us FREE!
Find at least one good thing in the life of this person .
Write a note or a email to this person and encourage them .
Right now, where you are, mentally cut any strings attached to your actions toward your sandpaper person. Leave your emotion about the situation and walk away for it. Leave it at the CROSS.
Choose to love freely.
Choose to love like God Loves you.
This was very helpful and eye opening for me, I pray you find it helpful.
Well Let's See What's been Going On
at Gateway
The Sunday's services are a hopping. Monty and Jackie are doing a terrific job in reshaping the music department. There have been obvious changes, although I believe that the music sounds great. Every one is coming together well jelled. Be sure and encourage them and all the worship team.
If you have not been coming on Wednesday Nights, well you have truly been missing out. Todd delivered a great message. I had forgotten that there is so much anointing in our church. Todd reminded with his teaching that god is so alive and present. God has a plan and he has is carefully laid out. All you and I have to do is participate.
There are hand out available for that teaching on Genesis.
Georgia will be teaching this coming Wednesday night. Bring your Bible and come on down to Gateway Community Church.
Volunteers have come forward to help with the children's bible class on Wednesday nights.
Ms Johnnie and Angela will take the 1st, Jeri Hurst and I will take the second,
s. Bev and Georgia have the third and last ,but not last is Joyce and Dixie for the fourth Wednesday. This will be so much fun. The kids are sponges and Jesus is the water that fills them up. A light supper will be served and a 35 minute or so teaching. I want to take this time to Thank Everyone for coming up and take a place in this ministry. You are all so important to God's plan. Ms Johnnie has been a rock for many years and Ms Bev has been going strong for multi months. They so appreciate all of your help.
Now for the nursery Kim Bass has stepped up and will begin to keep the nursery Sunday school and 2 to 3 times a month for the worship. There will be a rewrite for the schedule ( again). But gladly will it be done. It will be important to keep up with a variety of volunteers to combat kiddo fatigue.
\ Many of you know exactly what I speak of.
Matt Porter will begin a Young Adult Class on Feb. 1st. The class wil be held in the classroom to the right of the stage. The class will begin at 9.35. He has eight lesson books. Sign up now and if needed he can order more books. He will need to know as soon as possible. Please call Bob at the office 817-579-0509 if you would like to get signed up. The Vine thinks it will fill up quick.
This is another example of the growth at GATEWAY.
So this blogs
WAY TO GO is
KIM BASS. Giving a gift of LOVE.
If you have a way to go Let the Vine Know
You can contact The Vine any of the Various Ways
Also on a side note Our Church is AWESOME.
There was a imediate need for help this Sunday. And with no hesitation each of you held out your hand. You may never know how much you did with that simple gesture. The difference you made in that life was profound.
You gave a gift and You will be Blessed in return .
Jesus only command was to LOVE on another.
Our Church is obedient
THANK YOU!
Here is a song for you
OKEY DOKEY THEN
As it has been said and will contuine to be said
GET INVOLVED..INFORMATION PARTNERS..CONNECT-THE-VINE
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