Correcting Everyone and Their Mother

2 Timothy 1:7 - For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.

Have you ever just wanted to give up on the world because you are just flabbergasted by all you see? Yep, that was me the other day. I about turned around and gave a parent a lecture on how to raise their children because it was clear to EVERYONE in the store that they weren’t doing a very good job. In my head I had that whole head bob, Z-snap thing going on and I was ready to pounce. However, God tapped at my heart and asked me, “What good would that do, Shannon?” Boy, was I knocked down a few pegs. You see, sometimes it’s not our job to tell somebody what’s what because half the time, that just tears them down and definitely does not bring them closer to God. Look at Facebook, all of us are so willing to jump the gun and post something controversial just so we can correct those who see it differently than we do when really, correction isn’t needed, love is. A good debate can be fun and helping a friend out when they’re headed down the wrong path is wonderful. However, arguing just for the sake of trying to be superior is kind of annoying and nobody will listen at that point. Don’t you dare lie and don’t think you don’t do the same thing we all do. We type a million miles an hour, get a SUPER good comment in and then we’re all proud of ourselves. “Did you see what they said? Yeah, look what I said back.” I’m laughing right now because I’ve definitely done this with my husband. I was so proud of how I responded and the singer I got in, I couldn’t wait for him to read it. Sadly, there’s no witnessing when all we’re trying to get in is a few good zingers in on someone. We’re focusing on hurting them or hurting their pride whether than helping them in love and through scripture. Today, I urge you to step back away from your own pride and forget all the knowledge you think you need to impart to those who don’t see things the same way you do and just love and encourage them!

Proverbs 16:32 - Better a patient person than a warrior, one with self-control than one who takes a city.

Gold is the Result of Hurt

2 Corinthians 4:8-9

We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed.

I’ve always grown up in a family where your private issues were just that…private. You didn’t blab them to everybody you could find. If you needed help, you went to someone in the family and asked for prayer and support, you didn’t make it public knowledge. Rarely do I share my struggles with people unless I feel my struggles will help them come to a deeper relationship with God.

I have been struggling with my self-image for about 7 months now. I have always been small and never had to worry about what I ate in order to stay that way. Back in March of this year (2016) I had a health issue catch up with me. A misdiagnoses caused me to have greater issues with what was actually wrong with me. I gained 40 pounds in two months due to this health issue. None of my clothes fit, I was having to wear my husband’s clothes just to be able to go out of the house. Dieting and working out were barely budging my weight or my current circumstances. I have felt defeated, so very defeated. I didn’t want to leave the house or see people I knew because I didn’t want anybody to see me in the state I was in. I didn’t want to be judged or treated differently. My close friends and family kept telling me that I was pretty and that I shouldn’t feel that way

. No dip, I know I shouldn’t feel that way but I did and I do. The worst thing you can say to somebody is that they should knock it off. When somebody is truly going through something that is emotionally and psychologically heavy, don’t tell them to knock it off. They don’t want to be feeling the way they are. They hate the feeling and just need somebody to say, “I understand. I will be here to support you the entire way.” Acknowledging the issue and being honest about the circumstances is the best way to level with someone and show them you’re at their level. I hate it when people go on and on about how I'm totally not overweight or state similar phrases. Trying to dismiss the obvious only makes it harder.

For me, being overweight and being unable to quickly fix it is very difficult. It weighs on me every day and tears roll down my face as I work out because I just hurt but if I don’t push through the hurt, my circumstances will never change. So, I suppose there are two things that God is teaching me through this. Don’t dismiss what someone is feeling or going through even if it doesn’t seem big to us. Further, when God is working in our lives, it’s not always going to be sunshine and roses. Sometimes it hurts and only if we push through that hurt will we see the reward at the end. A lot of things hurt in life but a lot of us are better for those hurts in the end. Let God carry you through your hurt and it’s ok to actually acknowledge the hurt is there and weighing on you, just don’t let it make you quit. Never quit because then you’re not only giving up on yourself but you’re giving up on God.

Job 23:10

But He knows the way I take; When He has tried me, I shall come forth as gold.

The Hidden Story

Matthew 25:40 - The King will reply, “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”

I’m sure we’re all used to the phrase, “Don’t judge, you don’t know their story.” However, people rarely live by this and it’s most often heard when somebody doesn’t want to stop the destructive behavior they’re taking part in. Either way, it’s a legit line and I really feel like we miss the deepest aspect of it. My husband and I were driving through Springfield yesterday which is a large city. There are always career panhandlers at specific corners trying to meet their daily quota with whatever sob story they’ve contrived. I was still sad for them. This annoyed my husband that I would have pity on those who were basically stealing from kindhearted folks just wanting to lend a helping hand. He understood once I explained what was running through my thoughts. Those career panhandlers got there somehow. How did they grow up or what did they go through that made them decide to be that lying, swindling person on the side of the road? What caused them to rather don ratty clothes and look dirty and unkempt in order to try and get money instead of get a job? Are they capable of getting a job or did they resort to panhandling because they ran out of options and gave up? Even when we think we have the story figured out about someone, you would be surprised how wrong many of us are. Don’t ever think you know the entire story behind someone’s suffering even if that suffering presents itself as an atrocity to any average person. Before you turn your nose up at the drunk on the side of the road wanting more money, stop and think about a few reasons why he might be there. You see all the videos on Facebook and I know a lot of you either cry or are deeply touched. If it helps, play it out in your head like one of those videos if that’s what it takes. You know, everyone is talking about the presidential candidates and usually it’s negative. Pointing out how horrible they are because of this this and this. It annoys the ever living snot out of me. Every single one of us would look just as horrible if we were under a microscope. Does that mean I agree with all of their actions? Definitely not. However, was I there? Did I see what happened in person? Have I met them myself? No, which means I’m taking all of my info from a secondhand source which is popularly the media. We ALL know the media has a great way of twisting things. They’re all about drama. Stop going through life with your “I’m going to find every reason I can to be negative” cap on. Stop and feel. Stop and let your mind wander to the other side of things and allow your heart to feel what it is that these people have gone through or may be currently going through. Let your eyes look at people how Jesus would look at people. He didn’t seem them as their mistake, He saw them as the scared and lost person they are. Mentally they’re sitting in a corning shivering, begging, searching, needing. As Christians, we’re to remedy this and show them a warmth and grace that changes their lives forever. So, the next time you see a man or woman stealing, don’t snarl, pray. The next time you want to bash the presidential candidates, pray for them and our country, both are under a lot of pressure. Stop and feel. Stop and pray. It’s that simple.

Galatians 6:2 - Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.