Facebook status journey.

Stephanie...is trying to remember [James 1:19-20]."
Stephanie...needs to let go.
Stephanie...needs God.

Yep, that's pretty much what it comes down to. I need God. I can't do those things I said I was trying to do or needed to do without God.

So here is a God reminder for me.

"Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry, for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires." James 1:19-20

I am so tired of all the bickering in the church and outside of it. I'm tired of the conflict between our worldview and theirs. I'm really. Really. Really. Tired of it.

"I have said all these things to you to keep you from falling away. They will put you out of the synagogues. Indeed, the hour is coming when whoever kills you will think he is offering service to God. And they will do these things because they have not known the Father, nor me. But I have said these things to you, that when their hour comes you may remember that I told them to you...I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; i have overcome the world." John 16:1-4, 33

I'm also tired of trying to figure out who's right. Everyone is so sure that they are right! I've never met a group of people so sure they're right about stuff than my peers! Is this just the age for the "I'm right and you're not" mentality?? Twenty-something??

Anyway, it's vastly confusing. My heart tells me all sorts of things--I get angry at the one side for proudly supporting the building of the mosque, but then I get angry at the other for saying all the Muslims want to do is kill us. Oh my land. Does it ever end?

I've got to remember. I've GOT to remember. That all these side issues are not the important part. What is important is the Gospel message.

"Muslims believe that there is a God, and that you have to please him by living a holy life. They believe that dying for the sake of spreading their religion is one of the best ways they can possibly obtain that holy life and salvation. If Muslims knew that the key to pleasing God IS living a holy life, but that it is impossible for them to do so--no matter HOW extreme they live their lives--if they knew that God sent Jesus Christ to die in their place to become their holiness, and believed that nothing else was needed, then this wouldn't be a problem at all."

I wrote this to my grandpa. He's sending me anti-Muslim forwards again. He is doing so in defense of the rights of the women in his life. I.e. his wife, his three daughters, and his three granddaughters. He thinks that the Muslims are pretty much going to take over America, and we'll become a gigantic version of Saudi Arabia.

I started to write a volatile passionate angry response like I've been getting into trouble with lately, until Stephen told me to instead redirect him to the Gospel. This is why God gives us marriage. Accountability. So I sent a Gospel-centric response like he suggested. But I didn't address a THING in Grandpa's e-mail to me, so I still don't know what Grandpa will say. You hope, of course, to send a response that will help the "other side" (in this case, my grandpa) understand and side with you. But for all I know he could reply with some passive-aggressive question like, "Why didn't you reply to any of the points I outlined in my e-mail?"

So back to the Bible verses. "I have overcome the world." Can't tell you how much comfort that's bringing me right now. It's so much easier to not be angry when you remember that you're not the one in control; God is.

That's my random, or not-so-random, thoughts for today.

-Stephanie

previous || next

Miss Something?

Social Anxiety with Guys - February 07, 2024

Education Expo with an ADHD Kid - February 03, 2024

Lovely Church Experience - October 22, 2023

Seek Out Community in Christ - August 29, 2023

Grieving Lost Friendships - May 08, 2023